The family of Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo has praised her eight-year-old child for noticing that she had not returned home after going out for her usual run and promptly alerting relatives.
Moselakgomo’s uncle, Lt. Col. Andries Matlaila, said the child was familiar with her mother’s daily routine and knew roughly what time she normally returned home after exercising.
When Moselakgomo failed to arrive at her expected time, the child recognised that something was unusual. The youngster then informed other family members about her mother’s absence, raising the first alarm and prompting relatives to begin searching for her.
Matlaila commended the child for being observant and paying attention to a routine that had become familiar to the family.
He said the youngster’s decision to speak up when her mother did not return was important because it allowed the family to realise sooner that something could be wrong.
The family subsequently began looking for Moselakgomo after establishing that she had not returned home as expected. Her disappearance has since become a matter of deep concern for relatives and the wider community.
The circumstances surrounding Moselakgomo’s disappearance and death have drawn significant attention, particularly amid growing concern over a series of cases involving women in the Ekurhuleni area.
Her family is now awaiting the outcome of the post-mortem examination before finalising funeral arrangements. The examination is expected to assist authorities and relatives in understanding the circumstances surrounding her death.
For those close to Moselakgomo, the events have been particularly painful. Family members have been left to cope with the loss while waiting for further information about what happened to her.
Matlaila’s comments also highlight the importance of children being familiar with the routines of their parents and caregivers. In this case, the eight-year-old’s awareness that her mother should have already returned enabled the child to recognise that something was wrong and notify other family members.
The family’s search for answers comes as authorities continue investigating several cases involving women in and around Ekurhuleni. The developments have heightened calls for stronger measures to protect women and ensure that cases involving missing and murdered women are investigated thoroughly.
As the investigation continues, Moselakgomo’s relatives are waiting for more information from authorities while preparing for her funeral. They are also remembering the role played by her young child, whose attentiveness helped alert the family when her mother failed to return from her usual run.
The family has described the child’s actions as an important moment in the events that followed, demonstrating how quickly recognising a change in a loved one’s normal routine can prompt action when something appears to be wrong.
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