Kempton Park Court: Tsontso Moselakgomo Suspect Faces Stolen Property Charge

• Police have arrested a suspect found with an item belonging to runner Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo.
• The suspect is scheduled to appear in Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on October 12 on a charge of possession of stolen property.
• No murder charge has been filed against the suspect at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
• Moselakgomo, 38, disappeared on September 9 and her body was found on September 12 in Kempton Park.
• Her death is one of nine involving women found in the Ekurhuleni area since July, with police noting concerning similarities in some cases.

While the immediate charge is for possession, the ongoing nature of the Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo death investigation suggests the potential for additional or escalated charges as new evidence emerges.

South African authorities have apprehended an individual in connection with an item belonging to Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, the runner whose body was discovered in September. The suspect is slated to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on Monday, October 12, to face a charge related to the possession of stolen property. This development marks the first public legal action taken by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a case that has drawn significant attention.

At present, the police have not filed any murder charges against the individual, explicitly stating that the investigation into Moselakgomo's death remains active and ongoing. Details regarding the specific item found in the suspect's possession, as well as the exact time and location of the arrest, have not been disclosed by officials. This initial charge signals a preliminary step in the legal process, with further developments anticipated as the broader inquiry progresses.

Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old resident of Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, was last seen on September 9 when she departed her home for an afternoon run and did not return. Her body was subsequently located in Kempton Park on September 12, and her family formally identified her remains at the Germiston mortuary two days later, on September 14. Her death has become part of a disturbing series of incidents in the region.

Since July, a total of nine women have been found deceased across the Kempton Park and wider Ekurhuleni area, raising serious concerns among law enforcement and the public. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson for SAPS, has publicly acknowledged the troubling similarities observed in some of these cases. However, police officials have not yet confirmed any definitive links between the various deaths, emphasizing the complexity of the ongoing investigations into these tragic occurrences.

The current charge of possession of stolen property against the apprehended suspect represents a specific legal action under South African law, distinct from any direct involvement in Moselakgomo's death. This initial legal step by SAPS indicates progress in the investigation, even as the more serious aspects of the case, particularly the circumstances surrounding Moselakgomo's demise, continue to be probed. The legal process will unfold at the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court, where the suspect's appearance is scheduled.

While the immediate charge is for possession, the ongoing nature of the Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo death investigation suggests the potential for additional or escalated charges as new evidence emerges. The police's commitment to ongoing investigations underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for further legal actions beyond the initial charge.

Criminal defense lawyers should monitor this case for potential escalation of charges beyond possession of stolen property, given the ongoing investigation into Tsontso Moselakgomo's death and the broader context of similar cases in the Ekurhuleni area. This development signals initial legal action by SAPS.

Source: Original reporting via Scrolla