Police warn Kempton Park killings perpetrators: ‘Your freedom is temporary’ - IOL

Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili has issued a stern warning to those behind the killing of five women in Kempton Park, saying their freedom is temporary.

Mosikili issued the warning on Monday evening during a media briefing at Kempton Park Police Station.

She was joined by acting Gauteng provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana and Chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), Isaac Mapiyeye.

She said police had joined forces with the EMPD to increase visibility and strengthen their operational response in affected areas.

“We are putting more boots on the ground. There are increased patrols, increased visibility and intensified our investigations.”

She said the team included detectives, intelligence members, forensic experts, tracking teams, search and rescue and K9 units, as well as other specialised resources working around the clock.

“Our investigators are analysing victim profiles and suspect profiles. We are examining the circumstances surrounding each victim.

“At the same time, our intelligence and tracking teams are following leads and identifying persons who may be relevant to these investigations.”

The latest discovery was made on Monday morning when the body of a woman, believed to be in her 30s, was found partially naked on the side of the road in Olifantsfontein.

Mosikili said it was the third body discovered within a week.

“From July to date, we are now dealing with five cases involving the discovery of women’s bodies in the Ekurhuleni area.”

She said one suspect had already been arrested in the first case and positively linked to the murder.

Mosikili also said a woman who was kidnapped on Sunday in Kempton Park had been found and safely reunited with her family.

The family of slain runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo has positively identified her body at the Germiston Government Mortuary on Monday.

Her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm when her mother failed to return home from her routine run after work.

Speaking to the media on Monday, her uncle, Andries Moroka Matlala, described the child’s actions as an “iconic moment”.

According to Matlala, Moselakgomo had a regular routine of going for a jog after work and returning home at a particular time. 

Her daughter noticed that it was already 6.30pm and her mother had not returned.

“The daughter actually pulled one of the best iconic moments because we all received the news from the daughter at the age of eight years,” the uncle said.

“Tsontso had a routine. She was one of the people that, from work, she had a time to start jogging and the time to return back home.”

He added, “So, that young lady, I still take my hat off to that young lady because she's the one that actually broke the news after she noticed that 6.30, the mother didn't return back. That's how we all received the information.”

Mosikili warned those responsible that investigators were closing in.

“Now let me speak directly to whoever is responsible for these killings. Listen carefully. If you are responsible for taking these women's lives, your freedom is temporary.

“You may be hiding this evening. You may think that you have removed the evidence. You may think that nobody saw you or knows who you are. Do not make that mistake.”

She said investigators were following evidence left behind by the perpetrators.

“Our intelligence officers are gathering more information. Our tracking teams are following all leads and our forensic experts are analysing what you have left behind.

“You have left a trail. And we are following it.

“We are coming for you. When we identify you, whether it's one person or a group of people working together, we are going to come for you. And when we arrest you, you are facing the full might of the law and you will answer to every life you have taken. This is not a threat. It is a commitment from the South African Police Service and the EMPD.”

Mosikili said police were investigating whether the cases were linked, but would not draw conclusions before the forensic process was complete.

“There are similarities that our investigators are examining, including the circumstances in which some of the women were found.”

“But we will not confirm a linkage until every investigative and forensic process has been completed. We are following all evidence.”

She revealed that 17 women had been reported missing in the Kempton Park area since January, with 13 located by police and safely reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, Team Vitality expressed sadness at Moselakgomo’s death, remembering her as an avid runner and valued member of the running community.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Elizabeth’s family, her child, friends, loved ones and everyone whose lives she touched. We cannot begin to imagine the pain they are experiencing, and we stand with them during this incredibly difficult time.”

The team said Moselakgomo had participated in Vitality events, including the Vitality Run Series, where she recently completed the Wanderers 21km.

“We ask the running community and the public to keep Elizabeth’s family and loved ones in their thoughts during this time. Elizabeth, you will not be forgotten,” it said.