Police are investigating after another woman’s body was found in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday morning, bringing the number of women’s bodies discovered in the metro over roughly two months to six.
TimesLIVE reported that police confirmed the latest discovery on September 15. Security company Vision Tactical said the body was found near the Blesbokspruit River in KwaThema, Springs.
The latest case follows the discovery of a fifth woman’s body in another part of Ekurhuleni on Monday, September 14. Police have not confirmed that all six deaths are connected.
Police investigate possible links
Before the two latest discoveries, SAPS had already launched an intensified investigation into four women whose bodies were found in the Kempton Park area over about two months.
Police said preliminary investigations into those four cases showed “concerning similarities”. The women were found half-naked with visible bruising, and the locations where their bodies were discovered were in the same vicinity.
SAPS stressed that it had not established that the deaths were the work of a serial killer. Acting National Commissioner Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane ordered a multidisciplinary task team to investigate whether links exist between the cases. The team includes specialised detectives from the Murder and Robbery Unit and Investigative Psychology Unit.
Elizabeth Moselakgomo identified
One of the women has been identified as 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo. Her family formally identified her body at the Germiston mortuary on Monday, according to SAPS.
Dimpane said police would work to establish what happened to Moselakgomo and hold anyone responsible accountable. SAPS also confirmed that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the first body discovered in July and remained in custody as of Monday.
SAPS steps up patrols
Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili said SAPS and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department had increased deployments as investigators pursued leads. Police officers, intelligence teams, forensic experts and tracking resources are involved in the operation.
SAPS has urged women around Kempton Park, particularly Rhodesfield, to remain vigilant and avoid walking or running alone in isolated areas where possible. Members of the public with information have also been asked to assist investigators.