KEMPTON PARK KILLINGS: ‘An Echo of Happiness’: Ekurhuleni murder victim Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo laid to rest

{JSON.stringify(article.attachments[0], null, 2)} --> Mourners gathered to bid a heartwrenching farewell to 38-year-old Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, the first victim discovered in the Kempton Park murders. Amid emotional tributes from her young daughter and fellow running club members, government officials confirmed a joint task team was actively investigating the string of killings. Three people have been taken into custody.

“An echo of happiness”, is how loved ones described Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo as she was laid to rest more than a week after she was discovered murdered in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park.

On Sunday, 20 September, mourners gathered at Phake Kwa-Rankaila in Mpumalanga to bury the 38-year-old mother.

Moselakgomo was the first of nine women whose bodies have been discovered in the broader Kempton Park area, prompting nationwide outrage and concerns that a serial killer may be operating in the East Rand. She was reported missing by her eight-year- old daughter after she failed to return from an afternoon run.

Her family, neighbours and friends paid tribute to the late runner, describing her as a caring, compassionate woman with an infectious personality who had inherited her lifelong passion for running from her father.

Government officials, including Social Development Minister Dina Pule, Minister for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, and Mpumalanga MEC for social development Nompumelelo Hlophe, were among the dignitaries in attendance.

Her neighbour and friend Lesiba Molefe, who was her frequent running partner, ended his tribute with an appeal to men to end gender-based violence.

“Can we please protect our sisters, our aunts? We [runners] are emotional because we see what’s happened to our sister and know it could have happened to any lady,” he said.

In a heart-wrenching moment, Moselakgomo’s eight-year-old daughter read a poem she had written to honour her late mother, saying that although she missed her mother, she knew that she was watching over her.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed on Sunday, 20 September 2026, that three people had been taken in for questioning in connection with the nine deaths. It has not been confirmed whether all the murders are linked.

Moselakgomo is one of three victims who have been positively identified. Itumeleng Kekana (32) was identified by her brother on 3 August, nearly a month after she was first reported missing on 17 July. The fourth Ekurhuleni victim was identified by her family as Gracious Nkomo (28) on Thursday, 17 September. Another victim had been misidentified as Tebello Monamodi by her family, but Monamodi has since returned home safely.

During her address, Pule said Moselakgomo had not died in vain, as it was the discovery of her body that led the police to investigate and discover the other victims.

“She made sure all the other women who went through the same were found. Her family must appreciate that they have a hero and she will continue to be a hero in her death,” said Pule.

Pule said a government task team had been established to find the perpetrator.