A Johannesburg running club is mourning the death of one of its members, Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose body was found days after she went missing while out for a solo run.
The 38-year-old disappeared after leaving work on September 9. Her body was discovered on September 12 and later identified by her family, prompting grief among fellow runners who had regularly trained with her in Sandton.
Her death comes amid growing concern over a series of killings of women in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg. Nine women’s bodies have been discovered across the municipality since July, with several found during the past two weeks. Some cases remain under investigation and two of the victims had not been formally identified at the time of the report.
South Africa has one of the world’s highest recorded femicide rates. UN data showed that women were killed at a rate of 12.2 per 100,000 people in 2022, nearly six times the global rate.
Moselakgomo’s running community has responded with memorial runs and moments of silence, while campaigners continue to demand stronger action against gender-based violence.
Her eight-year-old daughter also delivered an emotional tribute at her mother’s funeral.
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