South African authorities found a woman's body on a Tuesday in an area east of Johannesburg, marking the seventh such discovery in the region over a two-month period. The South African Police Services (SAPS) stated that while they have not confirmed the deaths are the work of a serial killer, the similarities between the cases are significant enough to warrant a public warning. The police have advised women to exercise caution when engaging in activities such as jogging.
The discoveries began to draw wider public attention following the disappearance of 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who went missing while jogging in Kempton Park. Her body was found half-naked on a Saturday after a search. On the preceding Monday, another body was discovered in Olifantsontein. The most recent victim, found on Tuesday in the Kwa-Thema area, was discovered fully naked and in an advanced stage of decomposition.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced he has directed law enforcement to prioritize these investigations and stated that agencies are working with citizens to gather information. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stated that a multidisciplinary investigation has been established to examine potential links between the cases. SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe noted that the police are intensifying their investigative efforts.
The situation places pressure on the South African Police Services and municipal governments to address safety gaps. The Commission for Gender Equality has called for a safety audit to evaluate lighting, surveillance, and police visibility. These findings highlight the ongoing challenge of femicide in South Africa, which the United Nations has noted as having among the highest rates in the world, leading the government to previously declare gender-based violence a national disaster.
What happens next depends on the findings of the multidisciplinary investigation tasked with identifying the perpetrator or perpetrators. No specific suspects have been named at this stage. The Commission for Gender Equality is pushing for the safety audit to involve municipal and transport authorities to secure pedestrian routes. Law enforcement officials have not provided a timeline for when the investigation into the potential links between the seven victims will be completed.