SAPS rejects DA’s R500 000 Ekurhuleni killer reward

The reward for information in the investigation into the deaths of nine women in Ekurhuleni will remain at R400 000 after police rejected a separate R500 000 reward offered by the Democratic Alliance (DA).

The DA had offered to add R500 000 to the reward announced by the South African Police Service (SAPS), which would have brought the potential total to R900 000.

However, Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said the two rewards could not be combined.

The R400 000 reward announced by Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane will continue through SAPS’s established reward process.

Mosikili said police were required to follow established procedures when administering rewards and that SAPS could not become involved in political matters.

Police continue Ekurhuleni investigation

The DA’s offer came after police announced the R400 000 reward on Tuesday, 15 September, as investigators stepped up efforts to establish what happened to the women whose bodies were found in different parts of Ekurhuleni.

The deaths have prompted a major police investigation involving a high-level multidisciplinary team and specialist investigators.

Police have also increased their presence in Kempton Park and surrounding areas through Operation Shanela.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia previously said police would “massively expand” their visibility in the affected areas.

Despite the number of deaths, investigators have stressed that they have not established that the cases are connected.

The investigation therefore remains focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding each death and determining whether there are links between the cases.

R900 000 reward will not apply

The rejection of the DA’s offer means the previously suggested combined R900 000 reward will not be available to members of the public providing information.

The DA said its proposed contribution was intended to encourage people with information to come forward and assist investigators.

Police, however, have maintained that the official reward must be handled through the SAPS process.

The number of cases under investigation increased to eight following the discovery of another woman’s body in the wider Ekurhuleni area.

Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to report it through official channels.

Families who have relatives missing in the area have also been urged to report them to police as the investigation continues.