By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the family of missing Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo identified her body after she was found murdered in Kempton Park.
This comes after a body of a fifth woman was found in the same area, following the discovery of four bodies over the past two months.
Moselakgomo disappeared after leaving her Kempton Park home for an afternoon run on Wednesday, September 10.
The uncle of Moselakgomo, Lt. Col. Andries Matlaila, says the deceased’s eight-year-old daughter is the one who alerted the family after realising that her mother was missing.
While police have not formally confirmed whether the deaths are connected, the striking similarities prompted authorities to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team and issue warnings to local women to exercise caution.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said, “We are hoping that soon there will be a lead, but for now there is still a lot of work to be done. The evidence will guide us as time goes by.”
The team is working to establish the circumstances surrounding each death, analyse forensic evidence, identify possible linkages across the cases, and pursue all operational leads, Mathe said.
She further reassured the public that the South African Police Service (Saps) remains fully committed to protecting women.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has vowed that police will leave no stone unturned in identifying, tracing and bringing to justice those responsible for the deaths.
Dimpane extended her condolences to the family and loved ones, describing the circumstances surrounding her death as devastating.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Elizabeth during this extremely painful time. The loss of a loved one under such circumstances is devastating, and we assure the family that the SAPS will do everything within its powers to establish exactly what happened to Elizabeth and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” said Dimpane.
Members of the public with information can contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or provide information anonymously through the MySAPSApp.