The deaths of women in and around Kempton Park, Gauteng, have left families across Ekurhuleni and all of South Africa increasingly concerned about everyday safety, particularly for women who walk, run or travel alone.
Police have intensified their investigation after several women’s bodies were discovered in Kempton Park and other parts of Ekurhuleni in recent weeks. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has urged women, particularly in Rhodesfield, to avoid walking or running alone in isolated areas while detectives work to establish whether the murders are connected. SAPS has emphasised that, at this stage, it has not confirmed links between all the cases.
What Police Have Confirmed
On 14 September, SAPS said four women’s bodies had been discovered in the Kempton Park area over approximately two months, the latest found on the Saturday evening.
Police reported that the victims had visible bruising and were discovered in the same vicinity. A multidisciplinary task team, including specialised detectives and the Investigative Psychology Unit, has been established to investigate possible connections.
The body of 38‑year‑old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a runner, was positively identified by her family on 14 September. SAPS confirmed that a suspect had already been arrested and linked to the first case in July.
By 15 September, the number of women found in and around Kempton Park and elsewhere in Ekurhuleni had risen further. The SAPS has urged the public not to circulate unverified information and appealed for any details that could assist the investigation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also called for the cases to be prioritised, saying law enforcement agencies are working to establish the facts and keep communities safe. Anyone with information about the killings has been asked to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249.
For women, even the simplest routines now feel unsafe. Walking children to school, commuting to work, going for a run or collecting kids from activities are all part of daily life, but the recent cases have forced many to reconsider how and where they move through their communities.
Safety Tips for Women and Parents
The police warning is particularly relevant to women who exercise or travel alone. SAPS has advised women in the affected areas not to walk or run alone, especially in isolated locations.
- Avoid isolated routes – Where possible, choose routes with other people around, good visibility and access to nearby businesses or public spaces. Avoid quiet stretches of road, vacant areas and secluded paths, particularly when you are alone. If you regularly walk or run, consider changing your route or exercising with another person while the investigation continues.
- Tell someone where you are going – Let a partner, family member or trusted friend know where you are going and when you expect to return. For parents, this can be particularly useful when a routine involves travelling between home, school, work and children’s activities. Sharing your general location can make it easier for someone to notice when you are unexpectedly unreachable.
- Be deliberate about transport – When travelling alone, use transport you recognise and trust. Avoid getting into unmarked or unfamiliar vehicles and, where possible, arrange your transport before leaving a location rather than waiting alone in an isolated area. If you are collecting or dropping off children, consider where you will wait and whether the area is busy and well lit.
- Keep your phone accessible – Make sure your phone is charged before leaving home and keep it somewhere you can reach quickly. Parents should also make sure they know the emergency numbers they may need. SAPS can be contacted on 10111, while the GBV Command Centre can be reached on 0800 428 428.
- Trust your instincts – If a person, vehicle or situation makes you uncomfortable, you do not need to stay in the situation simply because you do not want to appear rude. Move towards a busier area, enter a shop or other public place, contact someone you trust and seek help if you believe you are being followed or threatened.
- Talk to children without creating panic – Children should know basic safety rules, including not leaving school or an activity with an unfamiliar person and knowing who they can approach if they feel unsafe. These conversations do not need to focus on frightening children. Simple, age-appropriate discussions about trusted adults, staying with a group and knowing how to ask for help can become part of their normal safety routine.
- Stay informed, but avoid unverified information – The investigation remains ongoing and police have specifically cautioned the public against spreading unverified information or making accusations without evidence. For mothers and families, staying informed through official sources while making sensible changes to everyday routines can help reduce unnecessary risk without allowing fear to dictate every aspect of daily life.
The recent deaths are a serious reminder that women should be able to use public spaces without fear. For now, however, the practical message from police is clear: women in the affected areas should remain vigilant, avoid isolated routes and, where possible, avoid walking or exercising alone.
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