One body too many – does Randfontein have a serial killer on its hands?

Randfontein police recently discovered no less than four bodies in one day. That has raised the question … do we have a serial killer on our hands?

In the first case, Randfontein Police confirmed that the bodies of three people had been discovered on Flower Road around Luipaardsvlei Farm near Zenzele on Thursday, September 30. They were foreign nationals from Lesotho.

According to Randfontein Police spokesperson Sergeant Carmen Hendricks, it is believed that all three victims were members of the infamous zama-zama illegal miners syndicate and lived in Dobsonville Gardens in Soweto.

Sergeant Hendricks said at the time of their disappearance, the victims were travelling in a blue BMW 120 with registration CX 22 DZ GP, which is still nowhere to be found. She said the two men were aged 28 and 32 while the woman’s age is unknown.

“The victims were last seen on Friday, September 24. We believe that at the time of their disappearance, they were on their way to Bekkersdal but we can confirm that they never reached their destination. At this stage police haven’t determined how the victims were killed,” Sergeant Hendricks said.

The victims were found with their hands tied. The two men were naked and the woman was dressed.

Sergeant Hendricks added that family members of the victims had come forward to identify the bodies, even though they were badly decomposed when they were discovered by a shepherd.

“We have also managed to establish that the woman was the girlfriend of one of the two men, and that the men used to be very good friends,” Hendricks said.

On the same day at around 20:30 another body, that of a man, was discovered with a bullet wound to the head close to where the other three bodies had been found earlier. However, no one has come forward to claim the body yet.

“Investigations pertaining to this case are also underway. We’re appealing to the community to come forward to identify the body,” Sergeant Hendricks said.

Anyone with any information can contact Warrant Officer Duiker on 083 347 7130; the Randfontein Police on 011 414 4992 or alternatively 071 675 7094, use the My SAPS app or the Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111 to report crime anonymously.

But that’s not all …

On Monday, September 20, the Randfontein Herald reported about a man who was found shot and killed in a white Opel Astra on Kabelo Street in Mohlakeng at around 07:30.

Randfontein Police station commander Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela said the body, with several gunshot wounds, was found in the boot of the abandoned vehicle.