South Africa is mourning the death of Elizabeth Mokolo Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old mother and avid runner from Kempton Park, Gauteng, who disappeared after leaving home for a run.
Known affectionately as “Tsontso,” Elizabeth was reported missing after she left her Rhodesfield home for an afternoon run on September 10, 2026, and did not return. Her eight-year-old daughter raised the alarm when her mother failed to come home.
Elizabeth Moselakgomo’s Death Confirmed
A woman’s body was discovered in the Rhodesfield area on September 12, initially prompting concerns that it could be the missing runner. At the time, Elizabeth’s family urged the public not to circulate unconfirmed claims while they waited for a formal identification.
That identification has since taken place.
Elizabeth’s family formally identified her body at the Germiston mortuary on September 14, bringing an end to the search for the missing 38-year-old. Family members have described Elizabeth as the “glue” that held their family together and expressed their devastation over her loss.
Remembering Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo
Elizabeth was a mother, professional and dedicated runner whose disappearance deeply affected both her family and the wider running community.
Her regular running routine was part of her life before the tragedy. Her death has since prompted tributes from members of the athletics and running communities, with Athletics South Africa among those mourning her and calling for greater safety for women who run and exercise.
Investigation Into Kempton Park Deaths
Police have confirmed that Elizabeth was the fourth woman found dead in the Kempton Park area in a broader period of investigation. Authorities are examining possible similarities between the cases.
However, SAPS has not confirmed that the deaths are connected, and it would be premature to describe them as the work of a single perpetrator or a serial killer.
The circumstances surrounding Elizabeth’s death remain part of the police investigation. A specific cause of death has not been established in the information available.
A Mother and Runner Remembered
Elizabeth’s death has left her family, friends and fellow runners grieving the loss of a woman whose life extended far beyond her professional responsibilities.
For those closest to her, Elizabeth was much more than a missing-person case or a name in a police investigation. She was a mother, family member, friend and member of a running community that now remembers her as “Tsontso.”
Her family continues to mourn her loss as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding her death.