Women in and around Kempton Park, particularly Rhodesfield in Gauteng, have been urged to exercise extreme caution after four bodies were discovered in the same area over a period of two months.
The latest body was found on Saturday, 12 September, prompting police to issue a public warning and intensify their investigation into the deaths. Detectives say there are concerning similarities in the circumstances surrounding the cases, although police have not confirmed that the deaths are linked or that a serial killer is responsible.
According to preliminary information gathered by investigators, the women were found half-naked and had visible bruising on their bodies. The discovery sites were also located within the same vicinity, adding to concerns about a possible connection between the cases.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said investigators were examining every possible link while cautioning the public against drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete.
“The bodies of the women were found half-naked and with visible bruising, and the discovery sites are located within the same vicinity,” Mathe said.
The warning has been issued because police do not want women to wait for another incident before taking steps to protect themselves. Residents, joggers, commuters and people who regularly walk through isolated areas around Rhodesfield have been urged to change their routines where possible and avoid travelling alone.
At this stage, there is no official confirmation that a serial killer is operating in the area. Police have stressed that the similarities are serious enough to justify a public warning, but the circumstances surrounding each death must still be investigated and tested against forensic and other evidence.
“While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations,” Mathe said.
Women in and around Kempton Park are being urged not to walk or run alone, particularly in places where there are few people, limited lighting or no immediate access to help. Police have also advised women to avoid secluded spaces, remain alert and travel or exercise in groups whenever possible.
The safety advice applies particularly to people who use quiet routes early in the morning or later in the evening. Residents are encouraged to tell family members or friends where they are going, keep their phones charged and avoid becoming distracted while walking.
Police are not suggesting that women should stop living their normal lives, but they are asking the community to remain aware of the risks while detectives work to establish what happened to the four women.
“The safety of women remains a priority for SAPS, and the police will not wait for further incidents before taking decisive action,” Mathe said.
Dedicated Task Team Established
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has directed the Gauteng provincial commissioner to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team to investigate the deaths and determine whether there are links between the incidents.
The task team will include detectives from specialised units, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit. Other relevant police disciplines and resources will also be brought into the investigation as required.
The task team will be led by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo. He has been instructed to ensure that every possible investigative avenue is followed and that the police establish who may be responsible for the deaths.
The use of the Investigative Psychology Unit suggests that police will examine patterns in the cases, including the locations where the bodies were found, the condition of the victims and any similarities in the movements or behaviour of people connected to the incidents. The Murder and Robbery Unit will also assist with the criminal investigation and the search for evidence.
Police have not released the identities of the women or detailed the exact locations where each body was found. Investigators may still be gathering information from families, residents, witnesses and people who were in the area during the relevant periods.
The public’s help is expected to be important. Police are appealing to residents, motorists, security personnel and anyone who works or spends time in Rhodesfield and nearby areas to report suspicious activity.
People may have noticed a vehicle, a person, unusual movements or activity around the locations where the bodies were found. Even information that seems minor could help investigators build a timeline and establish whether the cases are connected.
No Confirmed Serial-Killer Link Yet
The police warning has led to concern among women living, working and exercising in Kempton Park, but detectives have repeated that there is no confirmed serial-killer link at this stage.
The term “serial killer” carries serious meaning and can create fear in communities. Police are therefore examining the evidence before making such a finding. Similarities between cases can be an important investigative lead, but they do not by themselves prove that the same person was responsible.
Forensic examinations, witness statements, crime-scene evidence and other investigative work will be needed before police can determine whether the deaths were connected. The task team will be responsible for bringing those different strands together.
Mathe said police were taking the deaths extremely seriously and had mobilised specialised resources to identify what happened and bring any responsible person or people to justice.
“We urge women to remain vigilant, while assuring the community that specialised police resources have been mobilised to establish the circumstances surrounding these deaths and bring those responsible to justice,” Mathe said.
The public warning is also a call for people to avoid spreading unverified claims. Speculation about possible suspects can interfere with an investigation, place innocent people at risk and make it more difficult for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information should contact the police directly. People who may be worried about speaking openly can use the available anonymous reporting channels.
Members of the public with information can contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249. Information can also be provided anonymously through the MySAPS mobile application.
Residents should not confront anyone they suspect of being involved in the deaths. Instead, they should record useful details if it is safe to do so and provide the information to investigators.
The four deaths have left women in the area facing a difficult balance between continuing with their daily routines and taking additional precautions. The police investigation is now aimed at answering the questions that have unsettled the community: whether the cases are connected, who may be responsible and why the women were found in similar circumstances.
Until investigators have completed their work, police are asking women to avoid isolated areas, walk or exercise with trusted companions and remain alert to their surroundings. The task team will now examine the cases together while detectives continue collecting evidence.
No serial-killer link has been confirmed, but the similarities have been serious enough for SAPS to issue an urgent warning. For women in and around Rhodesfield, the message is clear: do not walk alone where possible, stay vigilant and report anything that could assist the investigation.
