Sexual molestation of four women revealed as SAPS, Ekurhuleni intensify operations - IOL
Police have vowed to intensify operations in Kempton Park following the discovery of another woman’s body, with the SAPS revealing that four of the five women recovered since July had been sexually molested.
Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili on Monday said police teams had received their marching orders and were working with the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) to strengthen operations.
“The teams met yesterday with the acting provincial commissioners to get the marching orders, and here I am today with our women in Kempton Park. The fact that we want to emphasise is that we do not want people to be restricted in their own space and in their own country when it comes to having to exercise their constitutional right of being free, of jogging. We have to intensify our operations,” Mosikili said.
She said the latest discovery was concerning given the proximity of the cases.
“This morning we woke up with yet another discovery of the body of a woman in her thirties, like others at Olifantsfontein. We had investigations on all these cases because they are not far from one another. The third body that was discovered within a space of a week is a cause for concern,” Mosikili said.
Another woman who was kidnapped in Kempton Park on Sunday was found alive and safely reunited with her family.
Since January, 17 women have been reported missing in the area. Police have located 13 and reunited them with their families.
The SAPS said four of the five deceased women had been sexually molested, while the condition of one decomposed body made it impossible to determine whether sexual molestation had occurred.
Police have not confirmed the deaths are linked, but a multidisciplinary team is investigating possible connections.
Mosikili warned those responsible for the killings.
“Now let me speak directly to the people that are responsible for these killings and murders of women. Be careful. You may be hiding this evening, but given the capacity and capabilities that we are having, we are going to deploy,” she said.
City of Ekurhuleni HOD for Communications, Marketing and Tourism Phakamile Mbengashe said additional EMPD visibility would be implemented immediately through the city’s Joint Operations Centre, in collaboration with the SAPS.
Patrols will focus on Rhodesfield and surrounding areas, including transport nodes, pedestrian routes, parks, waterways, open spaces, and isolated public areas.
“While the SAPS is leading the criminal investigation and will determine whether the cases are linked, the city is in ongoing communication with the SAPS through the JOC and other operational channels,” Mbengashe said.
The city has also ordered a multi-departmental safety assessment focusing on defective streetlights, overgrown vegetation, abandoned buildings, and other conditions that could compromise public safety.
