KEMPTON PARK, Gauteng — The family of missing runner Elizabeth Moselakgomo has confirmed that the body discovered on Saturday night is hers, marking another tragic instance of a missing runner found dead in the Kempton Park area. Moselakgomo was last seen going for an afternoon run in Rhodesfield on Wednesday, and her passing has intensified growing public concern over gender-based violence and femicide in the region, especially after four other bodies were discovered in the same vicinity over the past two months.
Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) spokesperson Javu Baloyi expressed the organization’s heartfelt condolences to Moselakgomo’s family, as well as to the families of the other victims whose remains are yet to be formally identified. Baloyi noted the profound sadness within the commission, revealing that several staff members had actively shared Moselakgomo’s photograph on their social media platforms in a desperate endeavor to help locate her before receiving the gruesome confirmation of her death.
While the clustering of these tragedies has led to public anxiety, authorities are cautioning against speculation regarding the presence of a serial killer. Baloyi emphasized that the CGE works strictly on evidence and in close collaboration with law enforcement.
“We will wait for the police to make a formal pronouncement on the cause of death,” Baloyi stated. “We do not want to speculate and say it is the work of a serial killer, as we simply do not know at this stage. It could be domestic violence, it could be stalking, or it could be a combination of factors. We agree with the police that we must not speculate, but rather remain vigilant so that this does not befall anyone else going forward.”
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that its investigative psychology unit will lead the probe. Operating similarly to the FBI’s behavioral analysis units, this specialized team will gather extensive forensic and psychological data to determine how and where the crimes were conducted, specifically looking for behavioral patterns in cases that do not appear to be motivated by financial gain.
Addressing the systemic nature of these crimes, Baloyi announced that the Commission for Gender Equality, in partnership with the South African Human Rights Commission and the CRL (Culture, Religion and Language) Rights Commission, will host a national joint inquiry from September 28 to October 2.
“This national joint inquiry seeks to uncover where we go wrong when investigating cases of this nature,” Baloyi explained. “We need to determine what resources and impact are required to eradicate the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in our society. South Africans must stay tuned to see how we engage on this critical issue.”
The CGE is formally calling on law enforcement to deploy the best available experts in psychology, forensics, and detective work to ensure a swift breakthrough. Baloyi highlighted the commission’s ongoing concern regarding the slow turnaround times within the justice system, urging a shift from reactive measures to proactive strategies.
“We need to have a system that is not reactionary all the time,” Baloyi concluded. “We must create safer, conducive environments so that everyone, regardless of their daily agenda, is free to go about their activities without fear. We will be grateful to the police if they can make a breakthrough as quickly as possible.”
