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Sixth woman found dead in Ekurhuleni as serial killer fears grow
The discovery of another woman’s body in Kwa-Thema, Springs, has intensified fears among residents across Ekurhuleni, with six women now found dead in the broader area since July.
The latest body was discovered on the side of a road in Kwa-Thema on Tuesday morning, 15 September. Police have cordoned off the scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
Kwa-Thema is about 45km from Kempton Park, where five women have been found dead since July.
Police have not confirmed that the six deaths are connected, but similarities in several of the cases have fuelled fears that a serial killer could be operating in the area.
What happened to the other women?
The first of the five Kempton Park-area victims was a 37-year-old woman whose body was discovered near the R21 in Rhodesfield on 15 July.
She was found naked and had been restrained with cable ties. Police subsequently arrested a suspect on 17 July in connection with her murder.
Gauteng acting provincial commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana said investigators had already made progress in that particular case, and the suspect remained in custody.
Police have indicated that this case appears to be treated separately while investigators examine whether the later deaths are connected.
The second known victim was a 32-year-old woman whose partially clothed body was found near the R21 on 24 August.
Her discovery added to growing concerns about women being targeted in the Rhodesfield and Kempton Park areas.
The third victim was found on 10 September. Her remains were already in an advanced state of decomposition, making identification difficult.
Police have not publicly released her identity or many details about how she died.
Then came the death that brought renewed attention to the cases.
Runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo found dead
Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, disappeared after going for her regular run in Kempton Park.
Her eight-year-old daughter alerted relatives when Elizabeth failed to return home as expected, prompting a search for the missing mother.
Her body was discovered on 12 September behind a hotel in Rhodesfield, close to the R21 and Southern Sun OR Tambo. Her family identified her remains at the Germiston Mortuary on Monday, 14 September.
Elizabeth was a retail manager, mother, churchgoer and keen runner. Her death has particularly shaken the local running community, with memorial runs and demonstrations being planned in her honour.
Fifth victim found in Olifantsfontein
On Monday morning, 14 September, another woman was found dead in Olifantsfontein, bringing the number of women found dead in the broader Kempton Park area to five.
A passer-by reportedly spotted the body on the side of the road and alerted a security company, which then contacted police.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the woman appeared to have been dumped at the location.
“It does seem as though this body was just dumped here,” Mathe said.
The unidentified woman was found partially clothed and with visible injuries.
Mathe acknowledged that investigators had noticed similarities between the cases but urged the public to allow detectives to establish the facts.
“We found those similarities as well. Partially clothed, half naked. But like I’ve said, let’s give and allow these detectives time to really solve these cases,” she said.
Now a sixth body in Kwa-Thema
Just one day after the fifth discovery, another woman’s body was found in Kwa-Thema, Springs.
The circumstances surrounding the latest death have not yet been released, and police have not said whether the woman had any connection to the five victims found around Kempton Park.
The discovery has nevertheless heightened anxiety across Ekurhuleni because of the short period in which the bodies have been found and similarities reported in some of the cases.
Police investigating possible links
Authorities have been careful not to label the deaths as the work of a serial killer.
A multidisciplinary task team has been established to investigate the Kempton Park cases. The team includes specialised detectives and members of the Investigative Psychology Unit, who are examining behavioural patterns and possible connections between the cases.
Major-General Fred Kekana previously warned against drawing conclusions before the evidence had been analysed.
“While there are similarities in some of the circumstances surrounding the cases, it would be premature at this stage to conclude that the four cases are linked or that they involve one perpetrator,” Kekana said.
“Our responsibility is to establish the facts through evidence.”
Deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said investigators were looking at victim and suspect profiles as part of the probe.
Police have also confirmed that four of the five Kempton Park victims showed signs of sexual assault, although one body was too badly decomposed for investigators to make the same determination at this stage.
Police warn against serial killer speculation
Although the similarities have raised fears of a serial killer, SAPS has not confirmed that one perpetrator is responsible.
Police are investigating several possibilities, including whether the deaths are connected, whether there could be multiple perpetrators or whether some of the cases are unrelated.
Kekana said: “We are not limiting ourselves to one suspect or one theory.”
He urged the public and media not to prematurely link the cases.
At the same time, police have increased their presence in affected areas and advised women to take additional precautions while investigators work to establish what happened.
Residents have been urged to avoid isolated areas, exercise or walk in groups where possible, inform someone of their movements and remain alert to their surroundings.
The City of Ekurhuleni has also activated its Joint Operations Centre, while the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department is increasing patrols around transport nodes, pedestrian routes, parks, open spaces and other isolated areas.
Three of the five victims remain unidentified
Authorities are also appealing to families who have reported women missing to come forward.
Of the five women found in the Kempton Park-area cases, only two had been identified by their families as of Monday – including Elizabeth Moselakgomo and the first victim.
Three bodies remained unidentified, with one particularly difficult to identify because of the advanced state of decomposition.
The latest Kwa-Thema victim has yet to be identified.
For now, investigators are working to determine whether the six deaths form part of one pattern or represent separate crimes. Until forensic and investigative evidence establishes a connection, authorities have not classified the deaths as the work of a serial killer.
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
