Body of missing runner found in South Africa: 'It is very scary'

ByKhanyisile Ngcobo Reporting fromJohannesburg.

Key points

• Just hours earlier on Monday, another woman's half-naked body was discovered concerning 25km (15 miles) away.
• The body of Elizabeth Moselakgomo was identified by her relatives on Monday after it was discovered east of Johannesburg on Saturday.
• The 29-year-old additionally asked whether Moselakgomo would "still be here if maybe she had a small community to run with one or three people"?
• Police have pressed women in the Kempton Park area to avoid walking or running alone "particularly in isolated areas".
• Advocacy group Women for Change remarked the discovery of these bodies was angering.

South African police have confirmed the death of a jogger. This person went missing during a routine run last week, sparking a nationwide appeal for support finding her.

In practice, the body of Elizabeth Moselakgomo was identified by her relatives on Monday after it was discovered east of Johannesburg on Saturday. She is one of five women whose bodies have been discovered half-naked and bruised in the same area, Kempton Park.

Police remarked they were not linking the deaths to a serial killer but went on that the "similarities are sufficiently concerning. To issue a public warning".

For context, a jogger who knew Moselakgomo through their running club informed the BBC the discovery of the five bodies was "very scary".

"It's sad to know that every woman in South Africa. Can't just go outside. You can't just go to the shop and purchase flowers. As you are always in danger, " noted Keamo Sefularo.

South Africa experiences some of the world's highest levels of gender-based violence (GBV), with the rate at which women are killed five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women.

Moselakgomo's body was discovered on Saturday night, badly bruised and partially clothed. South Africa calls gender violence a national disaster after protests.

I built this 'AI aunt' for women after family tragedy in South Africa.

In practice, the latest discovery was created by a passer-by. This person spotted the body on his way to work, police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe stated to journalists at the scene.

One arrest has been created in connection with the discovery of the first body. The person is still in police custody.

For context, the police have since set up a task team to investigate the murders but these grim discoveries and Moselakgomo's death have sparked renewed outrage and fear among South Africans.

Tributes poured in for the avid runner, affectionately known as "Tsontso" after police confirmed her death. South Africans additionally shared the fear and anxiety women often feel in the country.

Lesedi Ledwaba, in a post on X, remarked: "Women are not free if we have to calculate where, when and with whom we can walk, run or exist safely".

This was echoed by Sefularo. This person remarked Moselakgomo's disappearance had been "heavy for the club".

Notably, the 29-year-old additionally asked whether Moselakgomo would "still be here if maybe she had a small community to run with one or three people"?

"As we always say, when we go out for runs, there's safety in numbers, " she reflected.

Sefularo shared the measures she often took to keep safe while running, including avoiding taking the same route each day and making sure she ran in areas with good visibility.

"What is the purpose of having a protective service like the police if we have to make sure. We are ourselves, " the group's Merlize Jogiat asked.

Jogiat mostly blamed poor implementation of laws passed for the failure to curb the matter and stated "pressure in numbers" from citizens could be the solution.

Moselakgomo's family thanked the public for the backing in searching for the mother of one and commended her eight-year-old daughter for raising the alarm concerning her disappearance. Authorities are yet to identify the remaining bodies. You may additionally be interested in.

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Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Taken together, the developments around body of missing runner found in South Africa: ' It is very scary&#039 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.