Ekurhuleni murders: Kempton Park police flag phone problem

Kempton Park Police Station has raised a problem with its public-facing landline while police continue to investigate the deaths of nine women across Ekurhuleni.

The station commander told Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia during an oversight visit on Friday, 25 September, that the Community Service Centre landline was affecting the station’s ability to communicate with the public.

The Ministry of Police did not say whether the line was out of service, how long the problem had persisted or what number residents should use instead. It also gave no date for a repair.

The disclosure comes as police appeal for information that could help investigators establish what happened to women found dead in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, KwaThema and Dawn Park since July.

Police have not said the landline problem affected any of those investigations. But the station’s ability to receive calls matters to residents who need to report crimes, seek help or share information.

Families still waiting for answers

Among the victims is Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose body police found in Rhodesfield after she went missing. Police also found Gracious Nkomo and Itumeleng Kekana in Kempton Park.

In KwaThema, the family of Dineo Motapane has appealed to anyone who knows what happened to the 38-year-old to come forward. Her body was found beside a road on 15 September. Her family has said they want to see progress in the investigation.

Police have increased patrols and brought specialist detectives and forensic resources into the wider Ekurhuleni probe. Cachalia has cautioned against assuming one person killed all nine women, saying investigators have identified differences between some of the cases.

Authorities also found a tenth woman’s body at Moroka Dam in Soweto on 20 September. Police had not linked that discovery to the nine Ekurhuleni cases.

Cachalia inspects police stations

Cachalia visited Kempton Park and Tembisa police stations with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and senior police officials. Station commanders raised shortages of staff, furniture and technology equipment, as well as problems with infrastructure.

Cachalia inspected gender-based violence desks and Victim Friendly Rooms and spoke to officials who assist victims.

SAPS management committed to following up on the problems raised during the visit. The ministry did not say when it would fix the Kempton Park landline or address the other shortages.