JOHANNESBURG – South African police have recovered the ninth body of a woman in Ekurhuleni since July, as investigators intensify efforts to establish whether a series of killings across the East Rand are connected.

The latest body was discovered in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on Thursday morning, 17 September. Police said the woman was found partially naked and that preliminary indications suggested her body had been dumped at the scene. Her identity had not yet been released.

The discovery follows the recovery of eight other women’s bodies in areas including Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, Olifantsfontein and KwaThema.

Police have not confirmed that the cases are connected, nor have they established that a single perpetrator is responsible. Investigators are comparing the circumstances of each death and examining possible links between the cases.

Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said authorities could not continue recovering bodies in the affected communities.

“We cannot continue picking up bodies,” Mosikili said during a media briefing in Dawn Park.

A multidisciplinary team of investigators and specialists has been deployed to work on the cases. Police have also increased their presence in affected areas and appealed to residents to provide information that could assist the investigation.

Reward offered for information

The South African Police Service has offered a R400 000 reward for information that could lead to a breakthrough in the investigation and the arrest of those responsible.

The Democratic Alliance has separately announced a R500 000 reward for credible information leading to the arrest of people linked to the murders. This brings the publicly announced rewards to R900 000.

Police have urged anyone with information to contact the Crime Stop line on 08600 10111 or submit an anonymous tip through the MySAPS app. Information will be treated confidentially.

Elizabeth Moselakgomo case

Among the women whose deaths have drawn widespread attention was 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo.

Moselakgomo left her home on 9 September to go for an afternoon run and did not return. Her disappearance prompted fellow runners and members of the public to launch a social media campaign to find her.

Her body was subsequently discovered behind a hotel on 12 September. Her case helped bring renewed public attention to the other deaths being investigated in the region.

Another victim, 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, was identified by her family on Wednesday after her body was discovered on the side of a road in KwaThema earlier this week.

First arrest

The investigation dates back to July, when the body of a 37-year-old woman was discovered near the R21 in Kempton Park.

Police arrested a suspect two days later. He appeared in court on Wednesday, according to police reports. Authorities have said the suspect is a foreign national but have not disclosed his country of origin.

Police are continuing to investigate whether the arrest is connected only to the first case or whether there is any link to the subsequent deaths.

The latest discovery has intensified concern across Ekurhuleni, but authorities continue to caution that the similarities between the cases do not, by themselves, establish that they were committed by the same person or group.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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