Police form high-level team as eighth body found in Ekurhuleni

Eight women are dead in Ekurhuleni and a high-level, multidisciplinary police team has been assembled to find whoever killed them.

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia told a media briefing on Tuesday evening that the team has the expertise the investigation requires, and that political leadership will carry its share of the responsibility until the families get answers.

“The team is in place, and I can give you the assurance, based on past experience, that when it comes to such situations, the South African Police Service has the experience, the high-level expertise, to investigate cases of this kind,” Cachalia said.

He briefed alongside the Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, Social Development Minister Dina Pule, Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane.

What the police have confirmed

Over the weekend, police revealed that the bodies of four women had been found in the same area over a period of about two months. Two more bodies were discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni on Monday and Tuesday morning. An eighth discovery was announced on Tuesday evening.

One of the victims has been named. Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, went missing after going for a run over the weekend. Her family positively identified her body on Monday.

Police have not said the cases are linked, and no arrest has been announced.

Visibility, and a R400 000 reward

Operation Shanela will be “massively expanded” in Kempton Park and the surrounding areas, Cachalia said.

“The police will lock down this area in the coming weeks. The community will see the presence of the South African Police Service, and we will mobilise all necessary law enforcement capabilities, working with our communities.”

Police are also offering a R400 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of any perpetrator or perpetrators. Cachalia said the police are not depending on the reward, and appealed to the public to come forward without one.

“What is just needed is your humanity, your self-respect, your dignity, your determination to secure justice for the victims,” he said.

Ramaphosa directs that cases be prioritised

President Cyril Ramaphosa said he had spoken to the Minister of Police and the Acting National Police Commissioner, who briefed him on the investigation.

“I have directed that these cases be prioritised and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice,” he said in a statement.

Ramaphosa said law enforcement agencies are working in partnership with citizens, and asked anyone with information, or anyone missing a relative or friend, to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249.

A call for communities to stand with police

Cachalia described the discoveries as deeply distressing and said the country has to confront what they say about the safety of women and children.

“The thought that someone can go out on a run to participate in a happy event, never to return home, is too unbearable to think about,” he said.

He noted that the President has declared violence against women a national crisis, and said every effort is being made across government to overcome it.

He called on communities, Community Policing Forums, community patrollers, church leaders and community-based organisations to stand with the police, and warned against rumour and speculation on social media.

“What is needed is committed law enforcement, visible policing, expert investigation, with the support of our people, with the support of our communities,” he said.

The investigation continues, with the expanded patrols expected to be visible in Kempton Park and surrounding areas in the coming weeks.

Source: SAnews (South African Government News Agency), High-level team formed to tackle Ekurhuleni murders, https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/high-level-team-formed-tackle-ekurhuleni-murders