Pretoria: Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has assured the nation that a high-level, multidisciplinary team has the required expertise to investigate a streak of murders of women in Ekurhuleni. "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.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister, along with 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 (SAPS), Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, briefed the media on Tuesday evening. Over the past weekend, police revealed the discovery of the bodies of four women in the same area over a period of approximately two months. Two more bodies were subsequently discovered in different areas of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng on Monday and Tuesday morning, with the discovery of an eighth body announced in the evening.
Furthermore, police will "massively expand" visibility through Operation Shanela in Kempton Park and the surrounding areas. "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," the Acting Minister stated. In addition, police are offering a R400 000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of any perpetrator or perpetrators.
The Minister described the discovery of the eight bodies as "deeply distressing," noting that "we live in a society in which.the women of our society, our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our children are unsafe." One of the victims is 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, whose disappearance after going on a run over the weekend sparked widespread reporting on the incidents. Her body was positively identified by her family on Monday.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that the investigations into the murders be prioritised by police. "I have spoken to the Minister of Police and the Acting National Police Commissioner, who have briefed me on the investigation. I have directed that these cases be prioritised and that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice," President Ramaphosa said in a statement.