The South African police have discovered the bodies of eight women in the Kempton Park area, located east of Johannesburg, over the past two months. These discoveries have sparked a wave of concern and protests across the country, leading to the initiation of a high-level investigation into these crimes.
Details of the Discoveries and Investigations
The Gauteng provincial commissioner, Fred Khumalo, has stated that the police are investigating the connection between these cases but have warned against prematurely describing these deaths as the work of a single perpetrator or a serial killer. He said: “The investigation is considering all possibilities, including the existence of multiple suspects or different criminals.” The police are comparing evidence, timelines, locations, victim profiles, and circumstances of each case before reaching final conclusions.
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Khumalo also pointed out the similarities and proximity of the locations where the bodies have been found, deeming this concerning. Some of the bodies were recently discovered in the areas of Elifantsfontein and Kwa-Thema, which are approximately 25 kilometers and 34 kilometers away from Kempton Park, where the first five bodies were found.
Victim Profiles and Crime Statistics
The police have reported that as of Wednesday, the total number of victims has reached eight. All victims were women aged between 20 and 38, and all were found either naked or semi-naked with bruises on their bodies. The first body was discovered on July 17, bound with cable ties. According to the police, a suspect identified as the victim's boyfriend has been arrested and remains in custody.
One of the victims, Elizabeth “Tsontso” Muslagomo, 38, has been identified as having gone missing last week. She disappeared after her 8-year-old daughter informed family members that her mother had not returned from an afternoon run, and her body was found days later.
Another body discovered in Elifantsfontein was found naked and in an advanced state of decomposition. The youngest victim has also been identified as a 20-year-old woman.
These recent deaths highlight the high rates of violence against women and violent crimes in the country, sparking widespread protests regarding women's safety. Between April and July of this year, the country recorded 5,427 murders, averaging about 45 murders per day. The murder rate for women in South Africa is one of the highest in the world, and according to United Nations reports, over 35% of adult women in this country have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives.
The police have offered a cash reward for any information related to these murders.
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Source: abcnews.com
