The family of Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo is awaiting the completion of her post-mortem examination as disturbing new claims surrounding the deaths of women in and around Kempton Park continue to circulate online.
Moselakgomo, 38, was among the women whose bodies were discovered in the area as police investigate whether the cases could be connected.
Her family positively identified her body at the Germiston Forensic Pathology Service facility on Monday after she went missing while out for her routine afternoon run.
Moselakgomo disappeared on September 10 after leaving her Kempton Park home. Her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm when her mother failed to return at her usual time, prompting relatives to begin searching for her.
Speaking to IOL on Tuesday morning, Moselakgomo’s uncle, Andries Moroka Matlala, said the family was waiting for the post-mortem before proceeding with funeral arrangements.
“The police said the post-mortem will be conducted today (Tuesday), and after that’s completed, we can transfer the body from the government mortuary to our own mortuary,” Matlala said.
“Once we are done with the post-mortem, we will then start preparing for the funeral.”
Claims about missing body parts spark debate
As the investigation continues, a new and highly disturbing narrative has begun gaining traction on social media, with claims that some of the victims may have been found with body parts missing.
The claims have fuelled speculation among members of the public that the deaths could be connected to ritual killings or the alleged use of human body parts in traditional practices.
However, these claims have not been confirmed by police, and there is currently no verified evidence publicly establishing that Moselakgomo was killed for ritual purposes.
The speculation has nevertheless become a major talking point online, with some social media users drawing links between the circumstances surrounding the deaths and alleged ritual practices.
Popular South African traditional healer and reality television personality GogoMaweni has also been drawn into the online debate, with her name circulating in discussions about traditional healing, rituals and the alleged use of human body parts.
The claims should therefore be treated as speculation until investigators or forensic experts provide confirmed information.
Police investigation continues
Police have said they are investigating possible links between the cases and have deployed additional resources to determine what happened to the women.
SAPS previously said there were concerning similarities between several of the cases, including the locations where bodies were discovered and the condition in which some of them were found. However, police have cautioned against prematurely concluding that all the deaths were committed by the same person.
The investigation has since expanded as more bodies have been discovered in the broader Ekurhuleni area.
Police are examining forensic evidence and other information in an effort to establish whether the cases are connected and identify those responsible.
Six women found dead
The first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found near the R21 on July 15. She was naked and had reportedly been restrained with cable ties.
A suspect was arrested two days later and remains in custody.
On August 24, the body of a 32-year-old woman was discovered near the R21. She had visible bruises and was partially clothed.
On September 10, an unidentified woman’s body was found near Rhodesfield in Kempton Park in an advanced state of decomposition. She was also partially clothed.
The body of another woman was discovered on September 12 in Rhodesfield, behind a hotel. She was wearing sports clothing and was partially clothed.
The remains were later identified as those of Moselakgomo.
A fifth body was discovered on September 14 along the R21 near Olifantsfontein, with formal identification still pending at the time of reporting.
Another woman’s body was subsequently discovered in KwaThema, Springs, on September 15, prompting police to expand their investigation into the deaths across the broader Ekurhuleni area.
More recent reporting indicates that the number of women found dead in the wider area has continued to rise, with police investigating possible connections between the cases.
Family awaits answers
For Moselakgomo’s family, the focus remains on understanding what happened to their loved one.
Matlala said police had informed the family that the investigation was at an advanced stage and that they expected an update.
“All we can say is that the police told us that they are at an advanced stage with their investigations,” he said.
The post-mortem is expected to provide investigators with further forensic information about Moselakgomo’s death.
Until those findings are released, claims about missing body parts, ritual killings or the involvement of particular individuals remain unverified.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether there is a connection between the cases.
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