DA offers R500,000 reward as experts warn Ekurhuleni deaths follow serial‑killer pattern

The Democratic Alliance has offered a R500,000 reward for information in the investigation into a string of killings affecting the East Rand and Tshwane, as a criminologist warned the deaths fit the pattern of a serial killer.

Rewards and police response

The DA’s R500,000 bounty was announced after the South African Police Service offered R400,000, bringing total rewards to R900,000. Police have deployed a top investigative team led by the deputy provincial commissioner to pursue suspects linked to the killings.

Scope of the killings

Authorities discovered eight slain women over a two‑month period. The victims were found half‑naked across the East Rand and in Tshwane, and six of the eight bodies were discovered this month.

Criminologist points to serial‑killer pattern

Pixie du Toit, a criminologist and criminal profiler who completed a PhD in the United States, said the cases were definitely the work of a serial killer. She described the guideline for applying the label as three murders within a very short period in the same area, using more or less the same modus operandi.

“The guidelines we follow for pinning such a label on someone: three murders must be committed within a very short period in the same area, and using more or less the same modus operandi,”

Du Toit said an accurate offender profile requires visiting the scenes and knowing how the victims were killed. She also suggested examining whether a nearby taxi rank or train station might indicate the killer travelled to Kempton Park to commit the offences.

Du Toit added that there has been a serial killer somewhere in the country every year since 1994 and referenced the first such offender labelled the Station Strangler. She also said she suspected the killer did not live in Kempton Park and that the weapon used was likely not a firearm.

Community reaction in Kempton Park

A candlelit march was held in Kempton Park for runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo after her body was found in Rhodesfield on Saturday. Runners from Gauteng and as far as Durban organised tribute runs, wearing black, in her memory after she did not return from an afternoon run.

Janey du Plessis, a single mother who lives and works in Kempton Park, said residents were living in fear and staying vigilant.

“It’s so close to home. I also walk to my local Spar with my daughter. Everyone is vigilant. We just went to the shops in a group of five and stayed together the whole time.”

Du Plessis said children at primary and high schools were talking about the killings and staying alert.

Official commentary on crime trends

DA spokesperson on community safety Crezane Bosch said that while Gauteng showed declines in major crime categories in the first quarter of the 2026‑27 year, a closer look at metro, district and police station figures revealed notable increases in contact crime at several stations. Bosch listed offences including murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences as areas of concern.

Investigation into the killings remains ongoing as police pursue leads and offer the combined rewards for information that could identify suspects.