South African President Pledges Justice After More Women’s Bodies Found Near Johannesburg

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed to a thorough investigation into the murders of several women in and around Kempton Park, located northeast of Johannesburg. Over the past two months, the bodies of seven women have been discovered, with most found either partially or fully naked. Speaking on the escalating crisis, Ramaphosa assured the public that “no stone will be left unturned” to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Police confirm that an additional body was recovered on Tuesday morning, raising the total number of victims under investigation to seven. The latest discovery involves a woman in her late 20s whose remains were found in a river near a shopping mall in a town adjacent to Kempton Park. Acting Gauteng provincial police chief Maj-Gen Fred Kekana revealed that the incident was identified when authorities reviewed records from local police stations regarding unpicked-up bodies.

Among the victims is 38-year-old Elizabeth Moselakgomo, whose body was found on Saturday, three days after she vanished during her regular jogging routine. Her disappearance had previously ignited a widespread public search effort, largely driven by her young daughter who raised the alarm after her mother failed to return home. Moselakgomo was officially identified by her relatives on Monday.

While one individual has been arrested in connection with the first body found in mid-July, police have not yet linked the deaths to a single serial killer. Brig Athlenda Mathe, a police spokesperson, noted that investigators are exploring the possibility that a group is responsible or that the crimes may be copycat offenses. Currently, only two of the seven victims have been positively identified.

The string of killings has triggered widespread outrage and fear across the nation, with many citizens criticizing the government’s inability to adequately protect women. South Africa already struggles with some of the highest rates of gender-based violence globally, with the female homicide rate approximately five times the world average, according to UN Women. The Commission for Gender Equality described the deaths as evidence that ordinary activities, such as walking or using public transport, have become life-threatening risks for women in the region.

Authorities have urged women in the Kempton Park area, which is situated near South Africa’s primary international airport, to avoid walking or running alone, particularly in isolated locations. Ramaphosa has directed law enforcement agencies to prioritize these cases urgently to ensure community safety and deliver justice.