Pretoria – A fifth body of a woman has been discovered in Ekurhuleni amid rising fears a serial killer may be on the loose.
At the same time, the police have revealed that the fourth victim had been positively identified by her family at the Germiston mortuary as missing fitness fanatic 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo.
Commenting on the matter, Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane expressed her deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Moselakgomo.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Elizabeth during this extremely painful time,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.
“The loss of a loved one under such circumstances is devastating, and we assure the family that the SAPS will do everything within its powers to establish exactly what happened to Elizabeth and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
On the fifth body that was discovered in Oliphantsfontein, Lieutenant General Dimpane vowed that the SAPS will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those responsible for the murders of women in Gauteng are identified, traced and brought to justice.
Oliphansfontein is close to Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, where the other four bodies -some of them half-naked were found.
While the police have stopped short of saying that there could be a serial killer on the loose, they have issued advice to women to be more cautious.
The Acting National Commissioner said she has directed the multidisciplinary team comprising detectives and other specialised policing resources to intensify the investigation into these cases.
“The team is working around the clock to establish the circumstances surrounding each death, analyse available evidence, identify possible linkages where they exist, and pursue all leads that may assist in bringing the investigations to a successful conclusion,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.
She assured the public that the SAPS remains fully committed to protecting women and bringing perpetrators of violence against women to justice.
“We will not rest until we have established the truth. Where there is evidence linking individuals to these crimes, we will pursue them relentlessly and ensure that they face the full might of the law,” said Lieutenant General Dimpane.
One suspect has been arrested in connection with the discovery of the first body in July, earlier this year.
The suspect is still in custody.
