Alexandra residents took to the streets dressed in black on September 15 in honour of the late runner Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, whose body was discovered in Kempton Park on September 14.

Local club Run Alex organised the 5km walk through the streets of Alexandra, drawing men and women united in mourning and, increasingly, in anger.

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Run Alex chairperson Mokakatla Masekela said the club felt compelled to lead the initiative, calling on law enforcement and residents to confront what he described as an escalating crisis of violence against women. “Us doing this, it is just a matter of taking an initiative and a stance that we should work together to make sure that such does not happen again,” he said.

Masekela said the walk, and similar events staged by other athletics clubs, sent a message that the community will not stay silent while safe spaces become increasingly unsafe.

Women in Alexandra expressed mounting safety concerns, noting that residents worry about who might be targeted next. As regular runners, some said the fact Moselakgomo did not return from an afternoon run deeply unsettled them.

“It is scary to know that you might be next,” fitness enthusiast Silondiwe Buthelezi said, adding that safety depends on unity, without which there can be no real protection.

Rose Mogodi, another resident who joined the walk, said each new body recovered worsens their fears. “The more they discover other bodies, the more you realise, ‘Am I the next person?’. That is when you become more afraid because you don’t know where it might happen.”

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Salamina Milanzi said the discoveries made it clear that women are not safe. Masekela said clubs such as Run Alex exist to give people safe spaces where they can exercise together.

The discoveries have also affected local men. William Seleka said the community’s men felt a responsibility to stand alongside women and help ensure their safety. “We wish for the police to do their job,” he said, noting that those responsible must be found.

Moselakgomo’s body is one of eight bodies police confirmed were discovered in Ekurhuleni, though they are not linking the cases to the same perpetrator.

Meanwhile, police noted on Facebook that a R400 000 reward has been offered for information that could lead to a breakthrough in the investigations into these murdered women.

This followed a high-level meeting between government officials, including Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Police said the meeting shows how seriously the government and police treat the incidents.

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