Gauteng police have discovered at least nine bodies in the Kempton Park killings saga, with the latest victim found on Thursday in Dawn Park. The woman, believed to be about 30, was found partially clothed in an open area on Lama Street, Villa Lisa, wearing a blue T-shirt and pink underwear. Police said she had suffered a fatal throat injury. The discovery has intensified concern across the metro, but police have stressed that it is still too early to say whether the deaths are connected.
The nine cases have sparked widespread concern, with residents fearful and investigators searching for answers. The first woman was found on July 15 in a field in Kempton Park, while the latest was found on September 17. Police have not publicly confirmed a shared DNA profile, cellphone trail, vehicle, suspect, weapon or other forensic evidence linking all nine cases. Nor has a common motive been established. The victims' identities and causes of death have not been fully disclosed, with only four victims publicly identified.
Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia said this week that it was too early to establish whether there was a pattern linking the deaths. Deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said investigators were following every lead and that national resources had been deployed to assist in the investigation. A multidisciplinary team has been established to investigate the cases, with police urging women and girls to take extra care when walking, running or exercising.
The victims were found in various locations, including fields, beside roads, near the R21, in a river, and behind a hotel. Some were found partially or fully undressed. The police have confirmed an investigation involving specialist teams and national resources is underway. Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane has also said police are tracing a person of interest.
A R400,000 reward has been announced by the police for information that could assist the investigation. The Democratic Alliance has separately announced a R500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, but police have not been informed of the conditions attached to the DA's offer. The party subsequently said leads would be channelled through to the police.
The police have arrested a suspect in connection with the first killing on July 15, but it is not clear if the person is connected to any of the subsequent deaths. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to establish the causes of death, the last movements of the victims, and how they came to be at the locations where their bodies were found.
The cases have raised concerns about women's safety in the area, with police urging women and girls to take extra care when walking, running or exercising. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to establish connections between the cases and to identify the perpetrator(s). The community remains on high alert, with residents calling for increased police presence and action to be taken to prevent further killings.
Key points
- Police are investigating nine cases of women found dead in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, in nine weeks.
- The police have deployed national resources and established a multidisciplinary team to investigate the cases.
- A R400,000 reward has been announced for information that could assist the investigation.
