Ekurhuleni: Sixth Woman Found Dead, Police Confirm Sexual Assaults in 5 Cases

• A sixth woman's body was discovered in Kwa-Thema, Springs, bringing the total number of women found dead in Ekurhuleni over two months to six.
• Police have not confirmed a connection between the Kwa-Thema discovery and five previous cases in Kempton Park, located 45km away.
• Four of the five Kempton Park victims showed signs of sexual assault, and two of these women remain unidentified.
• One identified Kempton Park victim is 38-year-old runner Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who leaves behind an eight-year-old daughter.
• A multidisciplinary police team is investigating the Kempton Park deaths, but authorities have not confirmed a serial killer or single perpetrator.

Despite the disturbing pattern, police officials have refrained from confirming whether a single individual is responsible for the deaths or if a serial killer is operating within the area.

The discovery of a woman's body in Kwa-Thema, Springs, east of Johannesburg, has intensified concerns regarding the safety of women in the Ekurhuleni region. This latest finding marks the sixth woman found dead in the area over a two-month period. The Kwa-Thema site is situated approximately 45 kilometers from Kempton Park, where the remains of five other women were previously located. While authorities are actively investigating the five Kempton Park cases, they have not yet established any definitive link between these incidents and the recent Kwa-Thema discovery. The ongoing investigations aim to clarify the circumstances surrounding each death.

Fears among residents have significantly deepened following this series of tragic events. The pattern of discoveries has prompted widespread anxiety, particularly given the proximity of the incidents within the broader Ekurhuleni municipality. Police are treating each case with urgency, though the lack of confirmed connections between the Kwa-Thema and Kempton Park incidents means separate lines of inquiry are currently being pursued for the latest fatality.

During a recent media briefing held on Monday night, Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili shared distressing details concerning the five Kempton Park cases. Police reports indicate that four of these five women exhibited signs of sexual assault. Lieutenant-General Mosikili confirmed that the majority of the victims were sexually molested, though one body was too severely decomposed to make a conclusive finding at this stage. However, the investigative team has confirmed sexual molestation for the other four victims.

Furthermore, two of the five women discovered around Kempton Park remain unidentified, with police actively working to ascertain their identities. All five Kempton Park victims were found partially clothed and displayed visible bruising, adding to the grim nature of the discoveries. Among those identified is 38-year-old runner Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, whose family confirmed her identity on Monday after she vanished last week following a run from her home. She is survived by her eight-year-old daughter, a heartbreaking detail that underscores the personal toll of these crimes.

In response to the escalating situation, a specialized multidisciplinary police team has been assembled to delve into the Kempton Park deaths. This team comprises experienced detectives alongside specialists from the Investigative Psychology Unit, tasked with determining if these cases are connected. Despite the disturbing pattern, police officials have refrained from confirming whether a single individual is responsible for the deaths or if a serial killer is operating within the area.

For the most recent discovery in Kwa-Thema, investigators are still working to determine the woman's cause of death and whether it bears any relation to the five cases in Kempton Park. The establishment of a dedicated task force highlights the gravity with which authorities are approaching these investigations, yet many critical questions remain unanswered. The series of tragic events has undeniably deepened public fears regarding the security and well-being of women across Ekurhuleni, emphasizing the urgent need for clarity and justice.

Source: Original reporting via Scrolla