The SAPS has increased its operational presence across Ekurhuleni following the discovery of the bodies of five women since July, with investigators examining whether there are links between the cases.

Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, said on Monday evening, September 14, that SAPS had strengthened its deployment in the affected areas and was working with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).

Mosikili was joined by Acting Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana and EMPD Chief Isaac Mapiyeye at a briefing following the latest developments.

Also read: Discovery of multiple bodies spark safety fears across Ekurhuleni

“We have joined resources with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department to increase visibility and strengthen our operational response in the affected areas,” said Mosikili.

She said the increased visible policing was supported by detectives, intelligence officers, forensic experts, tracking teams, search and rescue personnel and K9 units.

Investigators are examining the profiles of the victims and potential suspects, as well as the circumstances surrounding each death.

Mosikili said the latest discovery was made on Monday morning, when the body of a woman believed to be in her 30s was found partially naked beside a road in Olifantsfontein.

She described it as the third body discovered within a week.

The family of Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo also positively identified her body on Monday afternoon.

Moselakgomo had previously been reported missing after she left her home in the Roseville area on September 9.

Mosikili also confirmed that a woman who was kidnapped in Kempton Park on Sunday had been found and safely reunited with her family.

“From July to date, we are now dealing with five cases involving the discovery of women’s bodies in the Ekurhuleni area,” she said.

She confirmed that, in the first of the five cases, a suspect had already been arrested and positively linked to the murder.

Investigations into potential links

Mosikili said investigators were examining similarities between the cases, including the circumstances in which some of the women were found.

However, she stressed that SAPS would not confirm that the cases were linked until the investigative and forensic processes had been completed.

“There are similarities that our investigators are examining,” she said.

“But we will not confirm a linkage until every investigative and forensic process has been completed.”

Also read: Fifth woman found dead in growing string of cases

A high-level operational meeting was held with the investigating team on Monday evening to assess progress, evidence gathered, resources deployed and current investigative leads.

Mosikili declined to provide operational details, saying doing so could compromise the investigations.

“We do not show criminals our hand as law enforcement,” he said.

Missing women cases in Kempton Park

Mosikili further revealed that 17 women had been reported missing in the Kempton Park area since January.

Of these, 13 had been located by police and safely reunited with their families.

She urged residents not to allow fear to take control of their communities, while calling on the public to assist police with information that could help identify those responsible.

Addressing the alleged perpetrators directly, Mosikili issued a strong warning.

“If you are responsible for taking these women’s lives, your freedom is temporary,” she said.

Also read: Family confirms fourth victim found in Kempton Park is Elizabeth

She said investigators, intelligence officers, tracking teams and forensic experts were following evidence gathered during the investigations.

“You have left a trail. And we are following it.”

Mosikili said SAPS and EMPD had the resources and determination to identify and arrest those responsible.

She also called on men in Ekurhuleni and across South Africa to take a more active role in protecting women.

Also read: SAPS probes links between four bodies found in Kempton Park

“For far too long, when women are at risk, the conversation has been about what women must do to keep themselves safe,” she said.

“Let us stand together. Let us look after our sisters, our mothers and our daughters.”

Mosikili said SAPS remained committed to finding those responsible and ensuring that the victims and their families received justice.