Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, 38, went missing after leaving her Rhodesfield home for an afternoon jog. Image credit Facebook
Police have arrested four suspects in connection with property believed to belong to murdered jogger Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo. The arrests mark the first breakthrough in the Tsontso Moselakgomo case, a month after her killing shocked the country.
A specialised police task team made the arrests over the weekend. According to police, officers allegedly found the suspects with items that belonged to the 38 year old runner. Police have not said what the items are or where the arrests took place.
However, police stressed that the suspects do not face murder charges at this stage. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspects will likely face charges of possession of stolen property. She added that investigations are ongoing.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
What happened to Tsontso Moselakgomo
On 12 September, Moselakgomo left her home in Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, for an afternoon jog. She never returned. Searchers later found her body in Kempton Park. Police have not publicly revealed how she died.
Her killing sparked national outrage. Across social media, thousands of people shared her picture and called for justice. In addition, communities held vigils in her memory, and runners organised events in her honour.
For many women, her death touched a deep fear. Moselakgomo was doing something ordinary, going for a run in her own neighbourhood. As a result, her case quickly became a symbol of the broader crisis of violence against women in South Africa.
Furthermore, her murder came during a frightening period for women in Ekurhuleni. Over recent months, police have recovered the bodies of several women across the metro. However, police have not linked Moselakgomo’s death to any of those cases.
Meanwhile, commentary across social media platforms has welcomed the arrests with cautious relief. Many users say they hope the breakthrough will lead police to the people responsible for her death. Others have urged police to move faster, saying her family deserves answers after a month of waiting.
Police have asked anyone with information about the case to come forward and assist the investigation.
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