Law & Justice

Eight Women’s Bodies Discovered in Gauteng as Police Probe Expands

By Kamogelo Moichela, Simon Majadibodu

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia confirmed that the number of women’s bodies found in Gauteng has risen to eight. The announcement was made at a high‑level meeting in Parktown on Tuesday night, where senior police officials briefed the government on the investigation. The eighth body was discovered in Olifantsfontein.

Earlier, IOL reported that a woman’s body found in a river in Clayville, next to Tembisa Mall, on September 7, had been linked to the investigation of six other bodies. Acting Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said the Clayville woman, believed to be in her late 20s and found in her underwear, will be included as the seventh body in the investigation.

Police are also investigating the deaths of women whose bodies were found in and around Kempton Park and other parts of Ekurhuleni. Kekana updated on a woman whose body was found on the side of a road in KwaThema, Springs, on Tuesday. A pathologist’s preliminary assessment indicated she had been strangled around the neck. A post‑mortem is expected on Wednesday.

Residents of KwaThema reported the body was naked and had been dead for several days. Local resident Zanele Shabalala said the community was alarmed and called for government intervention. She expressed concern that the case could be linked to the Kempton Park deaths.

Ward 78 councillor Sizwe Nhleko said police determined the woman was likely not killed at the location where her body was found and that the body may have been moved.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said investigators were still analysing evidence to determine whether the deaths are connected. She cautioned against rushing the investigation, noting the complexity and the possibility of multiple perpetrators. Mathe also said police were increasing resources in Gauteng and would engage private security companies and protection associations.

The KwaThema discovery follows five women whose bodies were found in and around Kempton Park. The first victim, a 37‑year‑old woman, was found near the R21 on July 15, naked and restrained with cable ties; a suspect was arrested two days later. A 32‑year‑old woman was found near the R21 on August 24, with visible bruises and partially clothed. An unidentified woman was found near Rhodesfield on September 10 in an advanced state of decomposition. On September 12, the body of a 38‑year‑old woman, later identified as Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, was found in Rhodesfield behind a hotel. Moselakgomo disappeared on September 10 after leaving her home for a run; her body was identified by her family at the Germiston Forensic Pathology Service. A fifth body was discovered on September 14 along the R21 near Olifantsfontein and is still pending formal identification.