FIFTH WOMAN’S BODY FOUND IN EKURHULENI!
Fears among residents in Ekurhuleni have intensified after the discovery of the body of a fifth woman in the Kempton Park–Olifantsfontein area, just as police continue investigating a disturbing series of deaths involving women over the past two months.
The latest body was discovered on Monday morning, 14 September, in Olifantsfontein, several kilometres from the areas where four other women were found dead.
According to police, a passer-by discovered the woman lying near the roadside and alerted authorities.
Preliminary information indicates that she had suffered bruising and was found partially undressed. Police believe the latest victim may have been dumped at the location between Sunday night and Monday morning.
The discovery comes less than 48 hours after another woman was found behind a hotel in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park.
That woman was wearing sports clothing and was partially clothed. Her discovery became particularly significant because 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo had disappeared after leaving home for a run.
Moselakgomo’s family subsequently identified her body at the Germiston mortuary on Monday, bringing a tragic end to the search for the missing mother. She had left her eight-year-old daughter at home before going for a run and failed to return.
POLICE: TOO EARLY TO CALL IT A SERIAL KILLER!
The latest discovery has inevitably raised questions about whether a serial killer could be operating in the area.
However, police have repeatedly cautioned against reaching that conclusion before the forensic and investigative evidence has been properly analysed.
Acting Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana said investigators had identified similarities in some of the cases, but it would be premature to conclude that the deaths were linked or involved one perpetrator.
Police have established a multidisciplinary task team involving specialised investigators, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit. The team is examining the circumstances surrounding each death, including timelines, locations, victim profiles and available forensic evidence.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has also confirmed that maximum police resources have been deployed to the investigation following the fifth discovery.
Mathe said investigators were working to determine whether there was a connection between the cases and whether they were dealing with a single perpetrator or potentially more than one person. She said investigators and behavioural experts needed to establish the facts before drawing conclusions.
FIVE WOMEN, TWO MONTHS!
The first woman was found near the R21 on 15 July. Police said she was 37 years old, naked and restrained with cable ties. A suspect was arrested two days later and remains in custody in connection with that investigation.
A second woman, aged 32, was found partially clothed near the R21 on 24 August.
On 10 September, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered. Police said the body was already in an advanced state of decomposition.
The fourth discovery came on 12 September, when the body of a woman wearing sports clothing was found behind a hotel in Rhodesfield.
The fifth body was then discovered in Olifantsfontein on Monday morning.
Police have stressed that these cases have not been formally linked.
COMMUNITY FEAR GROWS!
The developments have nevertheless left women and families in the area deeply concerned.
SAPS has urged women, particularly those walking or running in the Rhodesfield and surrounding areas, not to exercise alone, especially in isolated locations.
Residents have also been encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour.
Police are appealing to motorists, security officers, residents and anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the affected areas to come forward.
Information can be given to Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249, or anonymously through the MySAPS application.
The investigation remains active and police say no possibility is being ruled out.