KEMPTON PARK, GAUTENG — Gauteng Acting Police Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana has provided a critical SAPS update on the ongoing Kempton Park murders, confirming that investigators have now discovered seven bodies in the area. As a specialized national task team accelerates the probe, authorities are urgently urging anyone with information to come forward to help solve the cases that have deeply concerned the Ekurhuleni community.
The investigation has been escalated under a 72-hour activation plan. Among the confirmed victims is a missing runner. While earlier public discussions referenced five or six victims, authorities have now updated the count to seven bodies, with the most recent discovery made near a clinic in the KwaThema area.
Major General Kekana emphasized that the South African Police Service (SAPS) possesses the full capacity to handle these complex investigations. A multi-integrated team of national experts has been deployed to assist provincial investigators, comprising detectives, crime intelligence operatives, investigative psychologists, data system analysts, behavioral profiling experts, cyber specialists, and K9 units, including biological detection dogs.
“We have assembled a team comprising various experts within the institution to ensure that these cases are resolved as speedily as possible,” Kekana stated. He clarified that the involvement of national-level specialists is standard operational procedure for high-priority cases and does not indicate a lack of provincial capacity, noting that SAPS operates as a unified national institution.
Addressing recent public concerns regarding police resource shortages, Kekana corrected misconceptions about vehicle availability at local stations. Referencing recent claims about logistical struggles, he noted that while the ideal deployment is two vehicles per sector, stations are practically resourced to ensure 24/7 patrol coverage. He assured the public that overall resource levels meet or exceed the 85% minimum standard, and that any maintenance issues, such as vehicles requiring garage repairs, are being actively managed to maintain operational readiness.
The SAPS also outlined its prioritized response framework, utilizing an ABC measuring tool to manage calls efficiently: Category A (crimes in progress) receive a response within 15 minutes, Category B (serious or imminent threats) within 30 minutes, and Category C (less urgent historical reports) are attended to subsequently.
With similarities noted between the cases—including victims being found half-naked and multiple bodies discovered near busy, 24/7 roadways—investigators are carefully analyzing potential linkages. However, Kekana cautioned against premature speculation, stating that each case is being evaluated on its own merits while the multi-disciplinary team verifies the evidence.
Authorities are expected to provide a progressive update on the investigation by the end of the week. In the interim, Major General Kekana issued an urgent appeal to the public, emphasizing that community collaboration remains the most critical missing piece of the investigative puzzle.
“We appeal to our people, those who might have seen something, to come forth and share any little information,” Kekana urged. “However minimal or insignificant you might think it is, to us, it means a lot.”
