Body of Missing Jogger Elizabeth Moselakgomo Found in South Africa
South African police have confirmed the death of Elizabeth Moselakgomo, a jogger who went missing during a routine run last week. Her disappearance had sparked a nationwide appeal for assistance before her body was discovered and subsequently identified by relatives on Monday.
Moselakgomo's body was found on Saturday night, badly bruised and partially clothed, in Kempton Park, an area located east of Johannesburg. She is one of five women whose bodies have been discovered half-naked and bruised in the same vicinity.
Police Issue Public Warning
While police authorities stated they are not linking the deaths to a serial killer, they acknowledged that the similarities among the cases are sufficiently concerning to warrant a public warning. Law enforcement officials have urged women in the Kempton Park area to avoid walking or running alone, particularly in isolated areas.
A task team has been established by the police to investigate the murders. So far, one arrest has been made in connection with the discovery of the first body, and the suspect remains in police custody. The other four bodies discovered in the area have not yet been identified by authorities.
Hours before the identification of Moselakgomo on Monday, another woman's half-naked body was found approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) away. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told reporters at the scene that a passer-by spotted the body while on his way to work.
Community Reacts with Fear and Outrage
The series of discoveries has sparked renewed outrage and fear across South Africa. Keamo Sefularo, a 29-year-old runner who knew Moselakgomo through their running club, described the situation as very scary, noting the constant sense of danger women face in the country.
Sefularo shared that Moselakgomo's disappearance had been heavy for their running club. She questioned whether her friend would still be alive if she had been running with a small community, noting that runners often emphasize safety in numbers. Sefularo added that her own safety measures include varying her daily routes and ensuring she runs only in areas with good visibility.
Tributes have poured in for Moselakgomo, who was affectionately known as "Tsontso." On social media, South Africans expressed the anxiety women experience daily. Lesedi Ledwaba posted on X that women are not free when they must constantly calculate where, when, and with whom they can safely walk, run, or exist.
Calls for Accountability
The advocacy group Women for Change expressed anger over the discoveries. Merlize Jogiat, representing the group, questioned the effectiveness of protective services if citizens must constantly protect themselves. Jogiat attributed the failure to curb the issue to the poor implementation of existing laws and suggested that public pressure could help drive solutions.
According to UN Women, South Africa experiences some of the highest levels of gender-based violence globally, with a female homicide rate five times higher than the global average.
Moselakgomo's family expressed gratitude to the public for their support during the search for the mother of one. They also commended her eight-year-old daughter, who first raised the alarm regarding her mother's disappearance.
