Kempton Park killings: Three suspects questioned as Mkhwanazi joins investigation
Kempton Park killings: Three suspects questioned by police after nine bodies were discovered across Kempton Park and other parts of Ekurhuleni over a period of about two months, as authorities strengthen the investigation and increase police deployments in affected communities.
The development was announced by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia during a media briefing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Sunday. The investigation has been expanded to include senior national police officials as authorities attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether any of the cases are connected.
Cachalia said three suspects had been called in for questioning as part of the investigation. However, being questioned does not mean that those individuals have been charged or found responsible for any of the deaths.
The authorities continue to investigate the cases separately while examining possible links between them.
Kempton Park killings prompt expanded police investigation
The Kempton Park killings have resulted in an expanded multidisciplinary investigation involving senior police leadership.
Cachalia said the investigation team, which was initially established at provincial level, had been strengthened. Lieutenant-General Sentamule is heading the expanded team, with assistance from Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, who heads Crime Intelligence, and Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The involvement of the national police leadership reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the cases.
Earlier reports confirmed that police had already deployed specialist resources and were examining possible links between the deaths. Police have repeatedly cautioned that similarities between cases do not automatically establish that they were committed by the same person or group.
The latest announcement therefore represents another stage in an investigation that has continued to expand following the discovery of additional bodies.
Three suspects questioned as police follow leads
The fact that three suspects are being questioned is a significant development in the investigation, but authorities have not publicly stated that the individuals are responsible for the killings.
Investigators are expected to examine information obtained during questioning alongside forensic evidence, witness statements and other investigative material.
Police have previously confirmed that at least one suspect was arrested in connection with the first woman found dead in Kempton Park in July. Authorities have also said that no connection between that suspect and the subsequent deaths has been established.
This distinction remains important as investigators work to establish whether the nine deaths form part of a connected pattern or represent separate criminal cases.
Ekurhuleni murder investigation receives national support
The Ekurhuleni murder investigation has intensified as the number of victims reached nine.
According to IOL, the latest body was discovered in Dawn Park on September 17. Police said preliminary information suggested that the woman may have been killed elsewhere before her body was dumped at the location.
The nine cases have occurred in different areas of Ekurhuleni, including Kempton Park, Pomona, Rhodesfield, Clayville, Olifantsfontein and KwaThema.
Police are investigating the individual cases while looking for evidence that could establish possible connections.
The investigation has also involved national police resources. Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili previously said investigators were following every available lead and that the scale of the investigation required national involvement.
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi joins investigation
The involvement of Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi adds another senior figure to the investigation.
Cachalia confirmed that Mkhwanazi and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo were brought in to assist the multidisciplinary team.
Their involvement comes as investigators face questions about the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether there is evidence linking the separate crime scenes.
Police have previously said they are examining possible connections between the cases but have not confirmed that a single perpetrator is responsible.
SABC News reported earlier that police did not believe there was sufficient evidence at that stage to describe the situation as the work of a serial killer. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said investigators were instead examining whether the cases were connected.
That position remains important as the investigation develops.
Increased police deployments in Ekurhuleni
Authorities have also increased police visibility in communities affected by the killings.
Cachalia confirmed deployments in areas including KwaThema, Nigel and Dawn Park following a decision to place parts of Ekurhuleni under lockdown measures. The move is intended to strengthen security and reassure residents while investigators continue their work.
The increased deployment comes amid heightened concern among residents, particularly following the discovery of the ninth body.
The government has said community safety remains a priority and that additional resources are being directed towards the affected areas.
Police have also appealed to residents to cooperate with investigators and provide information that could assist in the cases.
Support offered to families of victims
The investigation is taking place alongside efforts to support families affected by the deaths.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee said the Department of Social Development had begun providing psychosocial support to families of identified victims, with assistance being provided according to individual family needs.
The support comes as relatives continue to identify victims and prepare for funerals.
Among those identified is Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose death attracted significant public attention after she disappeared while out for a run in Kempton Park. Her funeral took place in Mpumalanga on Sunday amid continued concern about the deaths of women across Ekurhuleni.
Other publicly identified victims include Itumeleng Kekana, Gracious Nkomo and Dineo Evelyn Motapane. Several other victims had not yet been publicly identified in available reports.
Firoz Cachalia urges communities to avoid speculation
Firoz Cachalia has also urged the public to allow investigators to conduct their work without interference.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee warned residents against circulating unverified information, graphic material or speculation about the deaths.
Authorities said such material could cause additional distress to affected families and potentially compromise the investigation.
The warning is particularly relevant as information about the cases continues to spread across social media platforms.
While residents have legitimate concerns about their safety, investigators need reliable information and evidence to establish what happened to each victim.
City intensifies efforts to clear open spaces
The City of Ekurhuleni is also expected to increase efforts to clear areas that could create security concerns.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee said the municipality would intensify grass cutting, debushing of open spaces and the removal of illegal dumping sites.
These measures are intended to improve visibility in areas where people may otherwise be vulnerable or where criminal activity could be concealed.
The municipality’s involvement forms part of a broader response involving national government, provincial authorities, SAPS and social development officials.
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What happens next in the investigation?
The next stage of the Kempton Park killings investigation will focus on gathering evidence and establishing whether there are links between the nine deaths.
Investigators will need to assess forensic evidence, witness accounts, victim timelines, movements and information obtained from people questioned as part of the cases.
The presence of three suspects being questioned could provide investigators with additional leads, but their legal status and any potential charges will depend on the evidence collected.
Police have also previously offered a R400,000 reward for information that could lead to arrests in the Ekurhuleni murder cases.
For communities across Ekurhuleni, the investigation remains closely watched as residents seek answers about the deaths.
The Kempton Park killings: Three suspects questioned by police development marks another significant step in the investigation, but many questions remain unanswered.
Authorities have not confirmed that all nine cases are connected, and the investigation remains ongoing. As Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and other senior police officials join the expanded team, investigators will now continue working to establish the facts behind each death and determine whether any common links exist.
References from mainstream media
- IOL – Kempton Park killings: Three suspects questioned as Mkhwanazi joins investigation
IOL News - TimesLIVE – Cachalia brings in police top brass to hunt down women killer(s)
TimesLIVE - Sowetan – Cachalia strengthens police team as three suspects are questioned
Sowetan - The Citizen – Cachalia says serial-killer theory has not been confirmed
The Citizen
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