Africa · updated 23m ago · 3 min read
South African Police Investigate Possible Serial Killings After Seven Women Found Dead East Of Johannesburg
Nine women's bodies have been found in Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg over two months. Police say cases appear linked; public warning issued over serial killer fears.
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BNO News
“deaths of five women whose bodies have been found near Johannesburg in less than two months”Read the original ↗
Jamaica Observer
“at least seven women whose bodies have been found east of Johannesburg in two months”Read the original ↗
Some outlets report a smaller or larger victim count, changing urgency and perceived pattern.
Bodies Found Near Johannesburg
South African police are investigating the deaths of at least seven women found in the same area east of Johannesburg, including a body discovered Tuesday in Kwa-Thema, about 34 kilometers from Kempton Park.
“While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer”
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said, “While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer,” adding that similarities were “sufficiently concerning” to issue a public warning.
The alert followed the discovery of other victims in the past two months, including a 38-year-old jogger, Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose body was found after she went missing in Kempton Park last week while jogging.
BBC coverage tied the fears to a sequence of discoveries in Gauteng, saying police found the body of Moselakgomo, 38, on Monday and described preliminary investigation as showing “similar” circumstances around the five deaths.
The BBC also reported that police had not confirmed whether the deaths were linked to a serial killer, even as they issued an advisory for women to avoid walking or running alone, particularly in isolated areas.
Ramaphosa Orders Priority
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Tuesday that he had directed police authorities to prioritize the ongoing murder investigations, telling the public, “I have directed that these cases be prioritized and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice.”
The BBC reported that Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said detectives saw “similar” circumstances around the deaths, including that the women were “half-naked wit visible bruises” and that discovery sites were within the same vicinity.
AFP coverage quoted police saying they were still investigating whether they were dealing with “one perpetrator or a group of men,” while describing the discoveries as “concerning.”
The BBC also reported that police had ruled out linking the deaths to a serial killer at that stage, even as they intensified investigations and urged women in the area not to walk or run alone, especially in isolated places.
A BBC interview with jogger Keamo Sefularo described the fear spreading through running clubs, saying the discovery of the bodies was “veri scary” and that “evri woman for South Africa… no fit just go outside.”
Task Team and Safety Audit
South African authorities said they had set up a task team to investigate whether the cases were connected, with Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo leading the team, which included detectives from specialised units.
“Women should not have to be killed before an area receives heightened attention”
The BBC described the task team as including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit, with police ordering the team to determine whether the incidents were related.
The Commission for Gender Equality called for urgent preventive action, including a safety audit of the affected areas involving police, municipal officials, transport authorities and community safety structures, and spokesperson Javu Baloyi said, “Women should not have to be killed before an area receives heightened attention.”
ABC News reported that the country recorded 5,427 murders between April and July, an average of 45 a day, and that the Commission for Gender Equality said the audit should assess lighting, surveillance, pedestrian and public transport routes, neglected spaces, police visibility and access to emergency assistance.
As police continue to investigate, the advisory remains in place for women to be cautious when doing activities like jogging in the area, with Athlenda Mathe saying the similarities were “sufficiently concerning” for SAPS to intensify investigations.