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Fear Of Serial Killer Grows In South Africa As Sixth Woman's Body Found In Ekurhuleni
Fear Of Serial Killer Grows In South Africa As Sixth Woman's Body Found In Ekurhuleni
NEWS
The Nigerian Record
9/16/20263 min read
Fear of a suspected serial killer is growing in South Africa after the body of another woman was discovered in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, bringing to six the number of women whose bodies have been found in the area within about two months.
The latest body was discovered in Kwa-Thema, Ekurhuleni, in the early hours of Tuesday, according to South African broadcaster eNCA.
The discovery came a day after SaharaReporters reported the discovery of a fifth victim and identification of one of the previous victims as 38-year-old runner Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who had disappeared while out for an afternoon run in Kempton Park.
eNCA reported on Tuesday that the latest body was found in Kwa-Thema, about 45 kilometres from Kempton Park, around where the bodies of five other women had previously been discovered.
One of the bodies was found in Olifantsfontein, approximately 25 kilometres from the area.
The developments have heightened fears among women in the east of Johannesburg, with concerns growing that a serial killer could be operating in the area.
"Another body discovered, this time in Watem," an eNCA anchor reported on Tuesday, referring to the latest discovery.
The broadcaster said the latest case was the sixth reported death involving a woman in the area in the past two months.
"I mean, is Ekurhuleni becoming the killing fields of our women?" another anchor asked during the broadcast.
The latest death follows the identification of Moselakgomo's body by her family on Monday.
Moselakgomo disappeared on September 10 after leaving her home in Kempton Park for a run. Her family later identified her body at the Germiston government mortuary, according to South African media reports.
Her death came amid an investigation into the deaths of four other women whose bodies had been found in the Kempton Park area.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has not confirmed that the deaths are connected or that a serial killer is responsible.
However, police previously said preliminary investigations had revealed "concerning similarities" in the circumstances surrounding some of the deaths.
The bodies of the women were reportedly found half-naked and with visible bruising, while the locations where they were discovered were within the same general vicinity.
SAPS had consequently issued a warning to women in and around Kempton Park, particularly the Rhodesfield area, urging them to exercise extreme caution.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe urged women who walk, exercise or jog in the area to do so in groups while investigators determine whether the cases are linked.
The Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, also directed the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team to investigate the deaths and determine whether there are links between them.
The team includes detectives from specialised units, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit, alongside other police resources.
It is being led by the Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Mbuso Khumalo, who has been tasked with pursuing all investigative leads and establishing who is responsible for the deaths.
Police have appealed to residents, motorists, security personnel and other members of the public who may have witnessed suspicious activity in Rhodesfield and surrounding areas to provide information.
"SAPS is taking these incidents extremely seriously. We urge women to remain vigilant, while assuring the community that specialised police resources have been mobilised to establish the circumstances surrounding these deaths and bring those responsible to justice," police said.
Women have also been advised not to walk or run alone, particularly in isolated areas, and to avoid secluded locations where possible.
Police have stressed that the safety warnings do not mean they have established that a serial killer is operating in the area.
Members of the public with information have been asked to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or provide information anonymously through the MySAPSApp.
The discovery of the sixth body is, however, likely to intensify public concern over the safety of women in Ekurhuleni as investigators continue efforts to establish whether the deaths are connected.