The death toll in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg has risen to nine in a space of two months, this is after the Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana, announced the new discovery on Thursday, 17 September.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), eight other women have been found dead in and around the area since July, and police are investigating whether the killings are linked.
“This is not about restricting the freedom of women to move, exercise or live their lives. It is about taking reasonable precautions while the police continue with these investigations,” he said.
The discoveries made in two months:
- The first body, that of a 37-year-old woman, was found naked and bound with cable ties in an open field near the R21 in Kempton Park on July 15.
- Itumeleng Kekana, 32, who went missing on July 17, was found dead on Great North Road in Pomona, Kempton Park, on August 3.
- A 32-year-old woman was found partially clothed near the R21 on August 24.
- Last Monday, a woman believed to be in her late 20s was found in a river in Clayville, near Mall of Thembisa, wearing only her underwear.
- Last week Thursday, the naked and badly decomposed body of a woman was found near the R21 and Voortrekker Road in Kempton Park.
- Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, a mother who went out for her usual run last week Wednesday and never returned, was found partially clothed behind a hotel in Rhodesfield last week Saturday.
- On Monday, a partially naked woman with bruises was found in Olifantsfontein.
- On Tuesday, a naked woman in her 30s was found behind Club 69 in KwaThema, Springs, and Kekana said early findings by pathologists showed she had been strangled.
“A multidisciplinary team of experts has already been mobilised to work on the cases and ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought before the court,” SAPS said in a statement.
The police are appealing to community members to share any information that may assist with the investigations by calling the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 or by providing anonymous tip-offs on MySapsApp, which can be downloaded on any smartphone.
Police have offered a R400,000 reward for information leading to arrests, while the DA has put up R500 000.
Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia said on Tuesday that police would lock down Kempton Park and surrounding areas and said it was too early to say there was a pattern to the killings. A multidisciplinary team of detectives, forensic experts, crime intelligence and specialised units has been set up to investigate the deaths.
