Eight women found dead: How to report a missing person as police say there is ‘no waiting period’ - IOL

Families should report missing persons to the police immediately, regardless of their age, gender or nationality, Deputy National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili said as investigators probe the deaths of eight women in Ekurhuleni.

Deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili has stressed that there is no waiting period for reporting a missing person, following the discovery of the bodies of eight women at different locations in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday night, Mosikili urged families to report missing persons  to the police immediately.

“A missing person, irrespective of the age of the victim, irrespective of the gender of the victim or nationality, we encourage the reporting immediately,” Mosikili said.

She said police have a responsibility to investigate missing-person reports and may require a recent photograph of the missing person, as well as information about their last known whereabouts, friends and places they normally visit.

“There is no timeline at all,” she said, adding that families should not be turned away when they report someone missing.

Her comments come after eight bodies were discovered at different locations across Ekurhuleni between July 15 and September 15. 

Police are investigating whether the deaths are connected.

- Itumeleng Kekana, 32: Originally from Qwa Qwa in the Free State and living in Kempton Park with her boyfriend, Kekana disappeared on July 17.

Her body was found near a river along the R21 on August 3, partially clothed and with bruising and injuries to her face. Her family identified her body. She was buried in QwaQwa on August 22.

- 37-year-old woman: Her body was found naked and restrained with cable ties in an open field in Kempton Park on July 15. Her partner was arrested on July 17 in connection with her murder.

- Unidentified woman, believed to be in her late 20s: Her body was found in a river in Clayville, Olifantsfontein, on September 7. She was wearing only underwear.

- Unidentified woman: Another woman's body was found in Olifantsfontein on September 7.

- Unidentified woman: Her body was found near Kempton Park on September 10, naked and in an advanced state of decomposition. Police were using forensic processes to establish her identity.

- Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38: Her remains were found partially clothed and bruised in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, on September 12. Her family identified her on September 14.

- Unidentified woman: Her body was found in Olifantsfontein on September 14. Police said she was partially clothed and bruised.

- Unidentified woman, believed to be in her 30s: Her body was found in Kwa-Thema, Springs, on September 15. She was naked and in a state of decomposition.

According to SAPS, there is no waiting period for reporting a missing person. People are urged to contact their nearest police station immediately.

- Provide a recent photograph of the missing person, if available.

- Give investigators a full description, including the person’s last known whereabouts and what they were wearing.

- Provide any other information that could assist the investigation.

- Complete and sign a SAPS 55(A) form, which authorises SAPS to circulate the missing person’s photograph and information.

- Obtain the investigating officer’s contact details and provide any additional information that becomes available.

- Notify the investigating officer immediately if the person is found or returns voluntarily. A SAPS 92 form must then be completed so the report can be removed from the circulation system.

Anyone with information about a missing person or who needs to report someone missing can contact their local police station. SAPS Crime Stop can be reached on 08600 10111, while the SAPS emergency number is 10111. Childline can be reached on 116.

Police are investigating whether the deaths of the eight women found across Ekurhuleni are connected. 

Acting national police commissioner Puleng Dimpane has appealed to families with missing relatives in the area to come forward and assist police in identifying the unidentified victims.

Dimpane also announced a R400,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the deaths.