A Lesotho national escaped death by the skin of his teeth after police rescued him from angry community members who wanted to stone him after mistaking him for a suspected serial killer linked to the murders of women in Kempton Park.
According to information received, the man was cornered by community members in the Vusimuzi section of Tembisa after they noticed that he bore a striking resemblance to a man depicted in a fake social media post claiming to identify the serial killer responsible for the murders.
A police officer, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said the local police station received a complaint from community members who claimed they had spotted the alleged serial killer prowling the streets.
Police rushed to the scene.
“Upon arrival, we found the community intending to stone the man, who looks like the person on the post,” the officer said.
Police intervened, defused the situation and took the man to the police station for his safety.
Another police officer said the relief station commander contacted the investigating officer handling the Kempton Park murder cases to establish whether the man was linked to the killings.
“He indicated he does not know who posted the picture on social media. He further informed the relief commander that the rescued person is not linked to the murders and must be released,” said the officer.
The officer said the rescued man’s details were being captured and would be included in a report that would be sent to all stakeholders involved in the investigation.
Five women have been found murdered in Kempton Park in cases that have fuelled public fears that a serial killer could be operating in the area.
The women were identified as:
- Busisiwe Mahlangu, whose body was found in Kempton Park on 15 July 2026.
- Itumeleng Kekana, whose body was found in Kempton Park on 3 August 2026.
- Nomfesane Mjobo, whose body was found in Kempton Park on 26 August 2026.
- Gracious Nkomo, 28, whose body was found in Kempton Park on 10 September 2026 and later identified by her family.
- Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, whose body was found in Kempton Park on 12 September 2026 after she was reported missing while out for a run.
Police have not confirmed that the five murders are linked or that a serial killer is responsible.
National Police Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe referred Africa Daily to their Gauteng Communication Unit. Gauteng Police Spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko had not replied to our questions at the time of publication.
