Kempton Park killings: women assaulted, community fears rise

Police findings on the victims

During a briefing at the Kempton Park police station, Acting National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili disclosed that the majority of the women discovered dead in the area had suffered sexual assault. Of the five bodies recovered so far, two were found entirely unclothed, while the others were only partially dressed. The forensic team’s preliminary reports indicate that sexual violence was a common element in at least four of the cases.

One of the victims, 38‑year‑old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, was a recreational runner who vanished after setting out for an evening jog on the R21 highway. Her remains were later identified at the Germiston mortuary, confirming the worst fears of her family and neighbours. Moselakgomo’s body showed bruising and was only partially covered, reinforcing the pattern of assault identified by investigators.

Forensic challenges and unanswered questions

Not all the evidence is straightforward. One of the corpses was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition, which has hampered the ability of forensic pathologists to determine whether sexual assault occurred in that instance. Additionally, police are still examining whether any of the victims suffered mutilation, a factor that could suggest a more complex motive.

Because the bodies were scattered along a busy stretch of the R21, investigators are also contending with environmental degradation of the scenes. The combination of exposure, animal activity and the passage of time has made it difficult to retrieve trace evidence that might link the crimes to a single perpetrator.

Community reaction and safety concerns

The discovery of a fifth body has intensified public anxiety in Kempton Park, a suburb of Ekurhuleni that already grapples with high rates of gender‑based violence. South Africa records roughly 2.9 women murdered per 100,000 people each year, a figure that places the country among the world’s most dangerous for women. Local residents have taken to social media, demanding urgent police action and greater protection for women walking or jogging in the area.

Women’s rights group Women for Change highlighted a disturbing trend: victims who approach police stations for help are often turned away or told to return home, effectively leaving them exposed to further abuse. The group argues that such institutional failures underscore the gap between South Africa’s legislative commitments—such as the Domestic Violence Act and the National Strategic Plan on Gender‑Based Violence—and everyday practice.

Official response and calls for action

In response to mounting pressure, Acting Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Chief Isaac Mapiyeye pledged additional resources to the investigation. Mosikili warned the unknown assailant that any perceived freedom is temporary, signalling that law‑enforcement will intensify patrols and surveillance along the R21 corridor.

The police have also appealed to the public for information, urging anyone who saw suspicious activity near the highway in the past two weeks to come forward. They have set up a dedicated tip‑line and promised anonymity for informants.

Background on violence against women in South Africa

Gender‑based violence is a persistent crisis in South Africa, with one woman murdered every eight hours on average. The government has launched several initiatives, including the establishment of specialised gender‑based violence units within the police service and the implementation of community‑based safety programmes. However, critics argue that funding shortfalls, inadequate training and a culture of impunity have limited the impact of these measures.

Recent high‑profile cases—such as the serial murders in KwaZulu‑Natal’s uMkhanyakude district and the 2022 murders of three women in Johannesburg’s Hillbrow—have highlighted systemic gaps in investigative capacity. Experts suggest that improving forensic infrastructure, increasing the number of female officers, and fostering stronger collaboration with civil‑society organisations are essential steps toward breaking the cycle of violence.

As the Kempton Park killings continue to unfold, the community’s demand for safety remains urgent. The outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for how South Africa confronts a pattern of sexual assault and murder that has, for too long, plagued its streets.