Sixth woman’s body found in Ekurhuleni as police probe deaths

by Staff Bona

The discovery of another woman’s body in Ekurhuleni has intensified concerns around a disturbing series of cases, with police now investigating whether the deaths could be connected.

Also see: Police intensify investigation after 5th woman’s body found near Kempton Park

The woman was found on the side of a road in KwaThema, Springs, on Tuesday morning, as reported by South African Daily, bringing the number of women’s bodies discovered in and around the Ekurhuleni area to six over the past two months.

Police were at the scene investigating the circumstances surrounding the latest discovery.

At this stage, authorities have not established the woman’s identity, how she died or whether her death is connected to the other cases.

The latest discovery follows a string of cases in which women were found in exposed locations, including roadsides, open veld and areas behind buildings.

According to police, most of the women were found partially clothed and with visible bruising. Four of the women had reportedly been sexually assaulted.

The first case involved a 37-year-old woman whose body was discovered near the R21 on 15 July. She was found unclothed and restrained with cable ties. Her boyfriend was subsequently arrested and remains in custody.

A partially clothed 32-year-old woman was found on 24 August, followed by the discovery of another woman, whose body was unclothed and badly decomposed, on 10 September.

The cases have also included that of runner Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, who was found after her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm when her mother failed to return home from a run after work.

The fifth woman, believed to have been in her thirties, was found in a veld in Olifantsfontein on Monday morning by a man walking to work.

Now, another discovery has been made in KwaThema.

The growing number of cases has prompted a major police response.

Also see: 41-Year-old accused of stabbing mother to death appears in court

Deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili briefed reporters at Kempton Park police station alongside acting Gauteng commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana and Ekurhuleni metro police chief Isaac Mapiyeye.

Mosikili said a 72-hour investigation had been launched, involving detectives, forensic investigators, the K9 unit, tracing teams, metro police and crime intelligence.

Police were working to follow leads and hoped to make progress by the end of the week.

The seriousness of the situation has also prompted further engagement with the investigating team.

Cachalia, together with acting national commissioner of the South African Police Service Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, is due to meet investigators to receive an update on the evidence gathered, the progress of the investigation and the steps being taken to identify and apprehend those responsible.

Authorities have stressed that investigators must establish the facts before drawing conclusions about whether the cases are connected.

At the same time, the possibility that women may have been targeted has made determining any links between the cases an urgent priority.

Cachalia said the discovery of multiple women’s bodies in the Kempton Park area was deeply disturbing.

She said a multidisciplinary investigation had been established to examine possible connections between the cases, identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

Police have also appealed to anyone with information that could assist investigators to come forward through the appropriate channels.

Members of the public have been urged not to spread unverified information or make accusations without evidence, particularly while the investigation remains active.

For families waiting for answers, the investigation carries a much more personal weight.

Originally published by Cape{town}etc.

Also see: 4 Men found dead in Gqeberha as investigation gets underway

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