The South African Police Service (SAPS) has escalated investigations after the bodies of four women were discovered in the Kempton Park area over a period of about two months, authorities said on Sunday.
Specialised investigators deployed
According to SAPS, the latest body was recovered on Saturday evening in the Rhodesfield vicinity, prompting the appointment of a dedicated, multidisciplinary task team to probe the deaths. The team has been ordered by Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane and will be overseen by Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo.
The task team will draw detectives and specialists from several units, including the Murder and Robbery Unit and the Investigative Psychology Unit, as well as other relevant disciplines and resources. SAPS said investigators will pursue all available lines of inquiry to establish the circumstances surrounding each death and identify anyone responsible.
Similarities raise concern
Preliminary information gathered by detectives indicates the bodies were discovered half-naked and displayed visible bruising. The discovery sites are within the same general area, which has heightened concern among investigators, though SAPS has not confirmed that the four deaths are linked to a single perpetrator.
SAPS emphasised that the mobilisation of specialised investigative resources is intended to determine whether the cases are connected and to ensure a thorough forensic and criminal analysis.
- Number of victims: Four women found over roughly two months
- Location: Kempton Park area, including Rhodesfield
- Units involved: Murder and Robbery Unit, Investigative Psychology Unit and other specialist resources
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bodies recovered | 4 |
| Primary area of concern | Rhodesfield, Kempton Park |
| Lead investigator | Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major General Mbuso Khumalo |
Community safety advice and ongoing inquiries
In the wake of the discoveries, SAPS issued a public warning urging women in and around Kempton Park to be cautious, particularly when walking or exercising in isolated areas. The police advised taking simple safety precautions:
- Avoid walking or running alone, especially in secluded locations
- Remain vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately
- Where possible, travel or exercise in groups and avoid areas with poor visibility
Police also appealed to residents, motorists, security personnel and others who might have seen unusual activity in Rhodesfield and surrounding areas over the past two months to come forward. SAPS said detectives are working to establish timelines for each discovery and to locate witnesses or surveillance material that could assist the probe.
The formation of a multidisciplinary task team reflects the seriousness with which SAPS is treating the matter. The involvement of investigative psychology specialists indicates that detectives will examine victimology, behavioural patterns and geographical links as part of the forensic review.
At this stage SAPS has not released identities of the deceased or further forensic details. Police stressed that establishing whether the deaths are connected remains a core objective of the task team.
Residents with information are encouraged to contact their local police or the Gauteng provincial SAPS office. SAPS reiterated that any details — however minor they may seem — could be crucial to the investigation.
The mobilisation of specialised resources in Kempton Park follows growing public concern about the safety of women in public spaces across the country, and will be watched closely by both communities and national policing oversight structures as detectives seek to bring clarity to the circumstances of these deaths.
