South African police probe killings of seven women, Ramaphosa vows action
Police have not confirmed a serial killer, but forensic teams are probing possible links after four victims showed signs of sexual violence, officials said.
- On Tuesday, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed the investigation now encompasses eight murdered women discovered across Ekurhuleni since July, following the discovery of another victim in KwaThema, Springs.
- Eight women's bodies discovered across Kempton Park, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Rhodesfield and KwaThema from July through September prompted SAPS to assemble detectives, forensic specialists and crime intelligence units.
- Among identified victims is 38-year-old Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, who disappeared after a run in Rhodesfield on September 9 and was identified by her family on September 14; forensic teams are examining whether four of the first five cases involved sexual assault.
- SAPS plans to 'lock down' Kempton Park and surrounding areas in coming weeks with a specialist team, while Acting Police Minister Cachalia pledged investigators will 'leave no stone unturned' to bring culprits to justice.
- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi declared, 'We can't normalise madness; this is madness,' as Cachalia described the eight murders as 'deeply distressing,' though police cautioned against assuming all deaths were committed by the same perpetrator.
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Tsonso's body was found in the same condition as the other six victims, namely half-naked and covered in bruises.
What we know about the eight women found dead in Ekurhuleni
The bodies of eight women have been discovered in Ekurhuleni between July and September, prompting an intensive police investigation. Authorities are urging the public to come forward with useful information and avoid speculation.
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cedarnews.netSouth African police are urging women to be extra cautious after another dead woman was found today in the northeast of Johannesburg. This is the seventh female body found in the same area in two months. According to South African authorities, the cases appear to be linked. They say it is still too early to say whether a serial killer or a group of perpetrators is involved.
The police are trying to elucidate the murders of at least eight women whose bodies were found east of Johannesburg within two months.
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