On Monday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) issued an urgent safety warning to women in and around Kempton Park, following the discovery of five women’s bodies over a period of about two months.
Preliminary evidence gathered by the SAPS revealed “deeply concerning similarities” across all five crime scenes, with the bodies of the women discovered half-naked with visible bruising, and dumped within the same immediate vicinity.
While SAPS has stopped short of officially declaring the presence of a serial killer, authorities admit the striking similarities are sufficiently alarming to warrant immediate public mobilisation and an intensified criminal investigation.
The body of Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo was identified by her family on Monday, after she went missing last week while on a run near her home in Rhodesfield.
In a statement, Ramaphosa said government shared the heightened concerns of South Africans following the spate of murders.
“I speak for all of us as I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo and to all families and communities affected by the killing of women recently found in and around Kempton Park. These incidents are causing fear and uncertainty in our communities, and especially among women. Our law enforcement agencies are working urgently to establish the facts, keep communities safe and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice,” the President assured.
He was briefed on the investigation by the Police Minister and the acting National Police Commissioner, and said he had asked that these cases be prioritised.
“…and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice. Our law enforcement agencies are undertaking this work in partnership with citizens, on whom we depend for any information that may help end these attacks on women,” Ramaphosa stated.
