By Levy Masiteng
The search for 38-year-old Elizabeth Mokolo Moselakgomo, who disappeared after leaving her Kempton Park home for a run on 10 September, has taken a disturbing turn following the discovery of a woman’s body in Rhodesfield.
Police have not said whether the unidentified body is connected to Moselakgomo’s disappearance.
Moselakgomo, also known as “Tsontso”, left her home for an afternoon run but did not return. Her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm after her mother failed to come home that evening and contacted relatives, who reported her missing.
Police have searched the area, followed available leads and made enquiries at hospitals and mortuaries without finding her.
The unidentified woman’s body was discovered in Rhodesfield on Saturday evening, the fourth such discovery in the same vicinity in about two months, according to the South African Police Service.
Moselakgomo’s family said it was unable to identify the woman visually because of severe facial injuries. The body was taken to the Germiston mortuary, where the family expected a formal identification process to take place on Monday.
Until that process is completed, Moselakgomo remains officially missing.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said preliminary investigations had identified concerning similarities in the apparent modus operandi surrounding the four deaths.
The women were found half-naked and with visible bruising, while the sites where their bodies were discovered were close to one another, police said.
Despite these similarities, police have made no formal finding that the deaths are connected or that a serial killer is operating in the area.
“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,” Mathe said.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane has instructed the Gauteng provincial commissioner to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team to investigate the deaths and determine whether they are connected.
The team includes detectives from specialised units, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit. It is led by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major-General Mbuso Khumalo.
“The safety of women remains a priority for the SAPS. We will not wait for further incidents before taking decisive action,” Mathe said.
“Specialised resources have been mobilised to establish the circumstances surrounding these deaths and to bring those responsible to justice.”
Police urged women in and around Kempton Park, particularly Rhodesfield, not to walk or run alone in isolated areas. They were advised to avoid secluded places, remain vigilant and travel or exercise in groups where possible.
Local missing-person notices placed Moselakgomo’s last known whereabouts near Mustang Street in Rhodesfield. Police have not publicly linked her disappearance to the four deaths.
Her disappearance has left her family and community anxiously awaiting the formal identification of the woman found on Saturday.
Police appealed to residents, motorists, security personnel and anyone else who may have noticed suspicious activity in Rhodesfield or surrounding areas to come forward.
Anyone with information about Moselakgomo’s disappearance or the deaths can contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS app.
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