Women Warned Not To Jog Alone As Fear Of Serial K!ller Grows

 

 

Women Warned Not To Jog Alone As Fear Of Serial Killer Grows In South Africa After Five Women Killed

The warning followed the discovery of the body of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, who had been missing after leaving her Kempton Park home for an afternoon run on Wednesday, September 10.

Women in and around Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa, have been warned not to walk, jog or exercise alone as police intensify investigations into the deaths of five women found in the area within about two months.

The warning followed the discovery of the body of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, who had been missing after leaving her Kempton Park home for an afternoon run on Wednesday, September 10.

Moselakgomo’s family on Monday positively identified her body at the Germiston government mortuary, according to South African media reports.

Her death has heightened fears that a serial killer could be operating in the area, although the South African Police Service (SAPS) has not confirmed that the deaths are connected or that a serial killer is responsible.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe urged women who walk, exercise or jog in the area to do so in groups while investigations continue.

Moselakgomo’s body was found in Olifantsfontein, about 20 minutes from the location where four other women were found dead in Kempton Park.

In a statement on Monday, SAPS said it was urging women, particularly those in the Rhodesfield area of Kempton Park, to exercise extreme caution.

Police said preliminary investigations had revealed “concerning similarities” in the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The bodies of the women were reportedly found half-naked and with visible bruising, while the locations where they were discovered were within the same vicinity.

“While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations,” the police said.

SAPS urged women not to walk or run alone, particularly in isolated areas, and advised them to avoid secluded spaces, remain vigilant and, where possible, travel or exercise in groups.

“The safety of women remains a priority for SAPS, and the police will not wait for further incidents before taking decisive action,” the police said.

Also, in a post on X on Monday, SAPS warned resident to “avoid sharing unnecessary personal or sensitive information”.

“Never allow someone you met online to pressure or lure you into an isolated or unfamiliar location,” it said.

“For a first in-person meeting, choose a busy public place and make sure a trusted friend or family member knows who you are meeting, where you are going, and when you expect to return.”

“If anything feels unsafe or suspicious, leave immediately and seek assistance,” it added.

SAPS

The Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has directed the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team to investigate the deaths and determine whether there are links between them.

The task force will comprise detectives from specialised units, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit, as well as other relevant police resources.

It will be led by the Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Mbuso Khumalo, who has been tasked with pursuing all investigative leads and establishing who is responsible for the deaths.

Police have also appealed to residents, motorists, security personnel and other members of the public who may have witnessed suspicious activity in Rhodesfield and surrounding areas to provide information.

SAPS

“SAPS is taking these incidents extremely seriously. We urge women to remain vigilant, while assuring the community that specialised police resources have been mobilised to establish the circumstances surrounding these deaths and bring those responsible to justice,” the police said.

Members of the public with information that could assist the investigation have been asked to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249 or provide information anonymously through the MySAPSApp.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that police were probing the possible involvement of a serial killer after four women were found half-naked and with visible bruising in the Kempton Park area within approximately two months.

The discovery of Moselakgomo’s body has now intensified concerns over the safety of women in the area, particularly those who exercise outdoors, as police work to establish whether the deaths are connected.