GAUTENG – Eight women’s bodies have been found in the Ekurhuleni killings, with the latest victim discovered Tuesday morning (15 September) in Springs.
Although yesterday’s victim would chronologically be the eighth body to be discovered, it is registered as the seventh case following a recount that revealed an earlier murder that had been missed. The eighth case now refers to a body discovered on 7 September in Olifantsfontein that was only picked up during today’s recount.
High-level delegation meets
The details were confirmed by Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, during a press briefing on Tuesday evening following a high-level delegation meeting attended by Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Deputy Minister of Police, Dr Polly Boshielo, and the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi.
The meeting focused on the progress of the investigations, the deployment of multidisciplinary expertise, and measures being implemented to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The delegation met with senior SAPS management and investigators at the SAPS Gauteng Provincial Head Office in Parktown.
Case missed during initial count
Dimpane gave an overview of the cases so far, of which the first murder was registered on 15 July in Kempton Park.
Two more bodies were discovered in Kempton Park in August.
The fourth victim was found on 7 September in Olifantsfontein, followed by the fifth victim on 10 September in Kempton Park and the sixth on 12 September, also in Kempton Park.
The seventh body was discovered on 14 September in Olifantsfontein, and the eighth yesterday morning (15 September) in Springs.
The case from 7 September in Olifantsfontein was only picked up during yesterday’s recount and added to the investigation.
“We might have missed this particular case when we did the numbers,” Dimpane explained during the update.
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One arrest, person of interest pursued
She said a suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder in July, while police have also indicated that they are pursuing another person of interest in connection with the killings.
Police have been reluctant to comment on findings of the cases or to speculate on fears that a serial killer may be on the prowl.
Reward offered
A R400 000 reward has been offered for information that could lead to a breakthrough in the investigation into the deaths of the eight women.
Multidisciplinary team in place
Cachalia has assured the nation that a high-level, multidisciplinary team has the required expertise to investigate the series of murders of women in Ekurhuleni.
“The team is in place, and I can give you the assurance, based on past experience, that when it comes to such situations, the South African Police Service has the experience, the high-level expertise, to investigate cases of this kind.
“I also give you the assurance that the political leadership has a responsibility which we will shoulder, to work with our law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the investigation continues until we get clarity, a result that the families deserve, and our people expect,” Cachalia said.
According to him, police will also significantly increase their visibility through Operation Shanela in Kempton Park and the surrounding areas.
“The police will lock down this area in the coming weeks. The community will see the presence of the South African Police Service, and we will mobilise all necessary law enforcement capabilities, working with our communities,” he assured.
