SAPS warns after misleading poster; DA offers R500,000 reward in Ekurhuleni murders probe

Police have warned the public against sharing misleading material after an image circulating online was incorrectly linked to the investigation into multiple deaths in Ekurhuleni. Authorities said the poster shows a man wanted in connection with a rape reported in Dobsonville, Soweto, on September 1, and is not connected to the Ekurhuleni cases.

What police have clarified

Police clarified that the poster circulating on social media features a man wanted for questioning in relation to a Dobsonville rape reported on September 1, and that the image is not connected to the investigation into the deaths of eight women in Ekurhuleni. SAPS has not released a photograph or identikit of a suspect linked to the eight women whose bodies have been discovered in the Ekurhuleni area since July.

Rewards and investigation activity

Investigators are intensifying efforts to determine whether the eight confirmed deaths are linked. SAPS announced a R400,000 reward for information that could assist the investigation.

The Democratic Alliance has separately offered a R500,000 cash reward for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the person responsible for the murders of multiple women in Ekurhuleni. DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane said the party wanted to supplement existing law-enforcement efforts.

“The DA is adding extra reason for all relevant information to be handed over now, to address this crisis quickly,” said Rasilingwane.

The DA said people who wish to qualify for its reward must formally submit information to SAPS and provide the party with proof that the report was made.

Police appeal for caution and where to report

Police urged the public to exercise caution before sharing information about the investigation, particularly claims that identify individuals or link unrelated cases. They warned that unverified claims can cause unnecessary alarm and may incorrectly implicate people who have not been identified by investigators as suspects.

Anyone with information that could assist the official investigation is urged to report it to SAPS rather than circulating it on social media.

Impact on victims’ families

The DA highlighted the impact of the deaths on victims’ families, including the family of Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, whose eight-year-old daughter made the initial calls that brought her mother’s disappearance to light.

About the reporting source

According to The Citizen (Kempton Express), “At Caxton, every story is written by humans. We use AI only to perform quality checks – never to generate the news.”

According to The Citizen (Kempton Express), “The Kempton Express & The Thembisan newspapers both have strong ties with their local community, depending and relying on its credible news content. Both papers reach 50 000 households weekly offering advertisers the ideal platform to reach their local target audience.”