Serial Killer Fears Rise in Pretoria After 4 Burned Bodies Found, Man Arrested for Separate Murder
- The South African Police Service (SAPS) in East Pretoria discovered another burned body dumped
- Police at a neighbouring station have made headway in the death of a woman dumped in Eersterust
- Brigadier Brenda Muridili said that police are investigating to see if the recent murders were linked
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Residents of a community in the Pretoria area are fearful that a serial killer may be on the loose following the discovery of a burned body of a woman.
The body was discovered on 4 August 2025, at the Watloo Train Station, in Silverton, east of Pretoria. The latest discovery comes on the back of similar instances in the area over the past three months.
Why are community members afraid?
The community are fearful as the latest discovery was the fourth burned body found in the vicinity in the past three months. Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili, confirmed that three other bodies were discovered between June and July 2025. They were all burnt.
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“Three more bodies were found between Watloo and Denneboom Train Stations between June and July 2025. No one has been arrested yet, but the task team established to investigate the murders is working around the clock following possible leads to trace the perpetrators,” she said.
Man arrested after body dumped in Eersterust
Police are also investigating whether the four bodies are linked to the murder of a woman in Eersterust. Eersterust is approximately five kilometres away from the Silverton area, where the other bodies were found.
The Eersterust woman’s body was discovered on 31 July 2025. She was partially buried in an open field, not very long after she was reported missing. A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with her murder, and he is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 6 August. It’s understood that he is out on bail for a case of rape and has since been positively linked to two other rapes.
Source: Original
Brigadier Muridili also stated that police could not rule out that a serial killer was responsible, adding that investigations were underway into that possibility. She added that police could also not rule out that the 36-year-old man arrested was not linked to the other murders.
You can watch her statement below.
The possibility of a serial killer being on the loose in the area has sent shockwaves through the community. An Afrikaner woman, Marizka Coetzer, took to social media to share her concerns following the news.
Serial killers have been in the news this year after the death of Olorato Mongale. Outspoken author Jackie Phamotse recently shared chilling views about the issue.
Murder accused abandons bail application
Briefly News reported that the man arrested for the Eersterust murder made his first appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates' Court.
Helder Isidro is charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice, and he abandoned his bail application.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) revealed how Isidro lured his victim through social media.
Source: Briefly News
