By Levy Masiteng
A fifth woman’s body has been found near Kempton Park, adding to community concerns that a serial killer may be active in the area.
The corpse was discovered in Olifantsfontein on Monday morning. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the woman was found half-naked and bruised.
Preliminary indications were that she had been killed elsewhere and her body dumped at the scene.
ALSO READ: Cut-off low brings rain, storms and damaging winds
“It looks like the crime didn’t happen here,” Mathe said.
Police have not identified the woman and have not established whether her death is linked to four other women whose bodies were found around Kempton Park over the past two months.
The discovery comes as a multidisciplinary police task team investigates similarities between the earlier cases, which have fuelled fears among residents that a serial killer could be operating in the area.
SAPS has, however, said that there is not yet enough evidence to conclude that the killings are linked or that a single perpetrator is responsible.
The first of the four earlier cases involved a 37-year-old woman whose body was found near the R21 on 15 July. Police said she was naked and had been restrained with cable ties. A suspect was arrested two days later and remains in custody.
A second woman, aged 32, was found near the R21 on 24 August.
Another unidentified woman was found on 10 September in an advanced state of decomposition.
The fourth body was discovered on Saturday, 12 September, in a thicket of grass near the R21 in Rhodesfield, opposite OR Tambo International Airport.
Police said the woman was partially clothed, had visible injuries and appeared to be wearing sports clothing.
ALSO READ: Cosatu affiliates square off over federation’s top jobs
That discovery has raised concern over the disappearance of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Mokolo Moselakgomo, who was last seen after leaving her Rhodesfield home for a run on Wednesday, 9 September.
Her family has been searching for her since her disappearance.
Police have not confirmed that any of the recent bodies found is Moselakgomo, and formal identification processes are continuing.
Acting Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana said similarities between some of the cases were being investigated but cautioned against reaching conclusions before forensic and other evidence had been assessed.
Said Mathe: “While investigations are still underway and we have not confirmed that these deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for us to issue a public warning and intensify our investigations.”
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane has directed Gauteng police to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team to investigate the murders.
ALSO READ: ANC candidate crisis deepens as party rejects Chikane court rumours
The team includes specialised detectives from units including Murder and Robbery and the Investigative Psychology Unit and is being led by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major-General Mbuso Khumalo.
Police have warned women in Kempton Park, particularly around Rhodesfield, not to walk, run or exercise alone in isolated areas.
Residents have been told to remain vigilant, avoid secluded places and, where possible, travel or exercise in groups.
SAPS has also appealed to motorists, residents, security personnel and anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in Rhodesfield and surrounding areas to come forward with information.
INSIDE METROS
