News Desk Reporter
Eight women have been found dead in Ekurhuleni since July, with investigators still working to establish what happened in each case.
Two of the women have been identified, while the identities of the other six are still being established.
Police have now put a R400 000 reward on the table for information that could help lead to the arrest of a wanted suspect or suspects.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said police were pursuing a person of interest in one of the cases. One suspect has already been arrested in connection with a murder reported in July.
Dimpane stressed that the person being pursued has not been linked to all eight deaths.
Police are examining the cases collectively while investigating whether there are any connections between them. They have not confirmed that the women were killed by the same person or group.
The identified victims are 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo and 32-year-old Itumeleng Kekana.
Moselakgomo was reported missing on 9 September after leaving home for her usual run. Her body was found in the Rhodesfield area of Kempton Park on 12 September and was later positively identified by her family.
Kekana’s body was found near Great North Road in Pomona on 3 August. She was subsequently identified by her family.
The cases being examined include five in Kempton Park, two in Olifantsfontein and one in KwaThema.
Police also recently added a body found in Clayville on 7 September to the investigation after reviewing cases reported at local police stations.
Dimpane said the investigation has been strengthened with specialised detectives and intelligence units.
“We do have crime intelligence on the ground,” she said, adding that national-level intelligence had also been brought in to support the team.
She appealed to families who may have relatives missing in the area to contact police.
“There are unknown victims,” Dimpane said, urging families to come forward if they cannot account for the whereabouts of a relative.
She said identifying the women would help investigators follow specific leads.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said it was too early to conclude the cases.
The investigation comes as police increase their presence in Kempton Park and surrounding areas.
The high-level briefing was attended by Cachalia, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo and senior SAPS officials.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist investigators to come forward.