LIVING IN FEAR: Too early to confirm link between four women found dead in Kempton Park

Police are investigating the deaths of four women in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, between July and September. They have urged the public to avoid speculation while a specialised team analyses potential links between the deaths. Women have been advised to take extra safety precautions when walking, running or exercising in the area.

Major-General Fred Kekana, the Gauteng acting provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), has said it is too soon to confirm whether the deaths of four women in Kempton Park, in Ekurhuleni between July and September are linked.

He said on Sunday, 13 September that a multi-disciplinary team of experts had been mobilised to investigate the cases, including specialists from the Investigative Psychology unit, who would analyse behavioural patterns and possible links between them.

“While there are similarities in some of the circumstances surrounding the cases, it would be premature at this stage to conclude that the four cases are linked or that they involve one perpetrator,” he said. “Our responsibility is to establish the facts through evidence.”

The body of a 38-year-old woman was discovered in Rhodesfield on 12 September. The woman was wearing sports gear and was found partially clothed. She had yet to be formally identified by her family, said Kekana.

This was preceded by the discovery of an unidentified woman on 10 September, whose body was in an advanced state of decomposition. The body of a 32-year-old woman, also partially clothed, was discovered near the R21 on 24 August.

On 15 July, the body of a 37-year-old woman was found near the R21. She was found naked and had been restrained using cable ties.

“In this particular case, our investigators have already made progress, and a suspect is currently in custody. The suspect was arrested on 17 July 2026. The investigation into this matter is continuing,” said Kekana.

“At this stage, investigators are considering all possibilities. We are not limiting ourselves to one suspect or one theory. Once we have balanced and analysed all the available evidence, we will be able to determine whether these cases are connected, whether multiple suspects are involved, or whether these are separate investigations.

“We therefore urge members of the public and the media not to speculate or prematurely link these cases,” he said.

On 12 September, the SAPS said it had intensified its search for a missing runner, 38-year-old Elizabeth Mokolo Moselakgomo, who disappeared after she went on an afternoon run in Kempton Park on Wednesday, 10 September.

Moselakgomo’s eight-year-old daughter contacted family members after she did not return from her run, leading to the family reporting the disappearance to the police.

In an eNCA report on Sunday, family spokesperson Dawn Gounden was quoted as saying that Moselakgomo’s family had yet to have an adequate opportunity to go through identification processes for the body of the woman discovered on Saturday. Gounden asked people to refrain from sharing unverified or unconfirmed information.

Kekana urged women and girls to take “additional precautions” while exercising, walking or running, including: