The South African Police Service has established a dedicated multidisciplinary task team after the bodies of four women were found in and around Kempton Park, Gauteng, over approximately two months. The latest body was discovered on Saturday evening, prompting police to warn women, particularly those in the Rhodesfield area, to exercise caution while detectives investigate similarities between the deaths.
Police have stressed that they have not confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, but said the circumstances are concerning enough to intensify the investigation and issue a public warning.
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Police investigate similarities between four deaths
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said preliminary information gathered by detectives had identified similarities in the circumstances in which the four women were found.
According to Mathe, the women’s bodies were found partly undressed and had visible bruising. The locations where the bodies were discovered are also within the same vicinity.
The similarities have become a key focus for investigators as police work to establish whether there is a connection between the cases.
However, SAPS has cautioned against drawing conclusions before detectives complete their investigation.
At this stage, police have not announced the identities of the four women, possible suspects, a motive or confirmation that one person is responsible for the deaths.
Women in Rhodesfield urged to exercise caution
Police have issued a safety warning to women living, working or exercising in and around Kempton Park, with particular attention placed on Rhodesfield.
Mathe urged women not to walk or run alone, particularly in isolated locations.
Police advised residents to:
- Avoid secluded areas where possible
- Remain aware of their surroundings
- Avoid walking or exercising alone in isolated locations
- Travel or exercise in groups where possible
The warning comes as investigators work to determine what happened to the four women and whether the cases are connected.
Rhodesfield is situated close to OR Tambo International Airport and forms part of the wider Kempton Park area in Ekurhuleni.
Dedicated police task team established
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has instructed the Gauteng provincial commissioner to establish a dedicated multidisciplinary task team.
The team will investigate the deaths and determine whether there are links between the four cases.
According to Mathe, investigators from specialised police units will form part of the team, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and Investigative Psychology Unit.
Other relevant disciplines and resources will also be brought into the investigation as required.
Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo will lead the task team.
Police said Khumalo has been instructed to ensure that all investigative avenues are pursued as authorities work to determine who is responsible for the deaths.
Police have not confirmed a serial killer
The discovery of four bodies under circumstances that police say share similarities has raised concern, but SAPS has made it clear that investigators have not established that a serial killer is operating in Kempton Park.
That distinction remains important while the investigation continues.
Police are examining the similarities between the discovery sites and the condition in which the women’s bodies were found, but investigators still need to determine whether those similarities establish a connection between the cases.
The multidisciplinary investigation is expected to bring together different areas of expertise to examine evidence from the individual cases and determine whether they are linked.
No arrests had been announced in connection with the four deaths in the information released by police.
Experts call for visible policing and thorough investigation
Criminal law expert Cornelia van Graan said raising public awareness was a proactive step but argued that warnings alone were not sufficient to address violence against women and children.
Van Graan called for visible policing and the deployment of specialists as authorities investigate the deaths.
University of Limpopo criminology expert Professor Witness Maluleke said investigations of this nature could take time.
He said police have previously secured arrests in serious cases when resources and attention were directed towards investigations, but warned that the process could be prolonged.
Maluleke urged the public and affected families to allow investigators time to work through the evidence.
His comments also reinforced the importance of not treating the discovery of the four bodies as proof of a particular theory before investigators establish the facts.
Investigation comes amid concern about women’s safety
The cases place renewed attention on women’s safety in Gauteng, particularly in communities where residents use public spaces for walking, running and travelling between transport facilities, homes and workplaces.
For Kempton Park and Rhodesfield residents, the immediate concern is the proximity of the locations where the women were found and the similarities identified by detectives.
Police have responded by escalating the cases to a dedicated team rather than treating each death solely as an isolated investigation.
The task team’s work will be central to establishing whether the deaths are connected, identifying those responsible and determining the circumstances surrounding each woman’s death.
Until investigators establish those facts, police have urged residents to remain vigilant without drawing unsupported conclusions about the cases.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The investigation is particularly significant for residents of Kempton Park and Rhodesfield, where police have issued a direct warning to women following the discoveries.
Women who regularly walk, run or travel through isolated spaces in the area have been advised to avoid doing so alone where possible and to remain aware of their surroundings.
For the wider Gauteng public, the establishment of a specialised task team means the investigation has been escalated to include expertise from provincial and specialised policing units.
Residents should also be cautious about unverified information circulating about the deaths. SAPS has not confirmed that a serial killer is responsible, and any connection between the four cases remains under investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many women have been found dead in Kempton Park?
Police said the bodies of four women have been discovered in the Kempton Park area over approximately two months.
Where were the women found?
Police said the discovery sites were within the same vicinity. Women in and around Kempton Park, particularly Rhodesfield, have been urged to exercise caution.
Has SAPS confirmed a serial killer in Kempton Park?
No. SAPS has specifically stated that it has not confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer. Police are investigating similarities between the cases to determine whether they are connected.
What similarities have police identified?
According to SAPS, the women’s bodies were found partly undressed with visible bruising, while the discovery sites were located within the same vicinity.
Who is investigating the deaths?
A multidisciplinary task team led by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo will investigate the cases. The team includes specialised detectives from units such as Murder and Robbery and Investigative Psychology.
Kempton Park investigation continues
Police investigations into the deaths of the four women are continuing as the newly established task team works to determine whether the cases are connected.
No link to a serial killer has been confirmed, and police have not announced a suspect in the information released so far.
For now, women in Kempton Park and particularly Rhodesfield have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid isolated areas where possible and travel or exercise with others while investigators pursue the cases.
