Reports of A Possible Serial Killer Around Pretoria Spark Fear Among Residents

Reports of A Possible Serial Killer Around Pretoria Spark Fear Among Residents. Murder incidents that have been happening in Pretoria have many suspected that a serial killer is on the loose. Five women have been killed within 3 months, with one suspect Heldor Isidro, being linked to one of the murders.

36 year-old Isidro, was out on bail when the fifth woman, Loveness Magabe, was killed. Loveness, 30, was allegedly murdered by Isidro, after they met on a dating app, in Eersterust, east of Pretoria. She was last seen on 26 July, when she was planning to meet Isidro. Upon arriving at the meeting place, they walked for a while until they reached the suspect’s residence. Once there, she sent a message to her friend saying the room she was in felt scary. She then forwarded her location and the man’s phone number, saying: “If I’m kidnapped, it would be this guy.”

When Loveness’ friends tried to reach her, her phone was off, and she was reported missing the following day. On 31 July, a passerby discovered Loveness’s lifeless body in a shallow grave at the suspect’s residence. Isidro was arrested on 4 August 2025 at his family’s home in Polokwane, Limpopo. The suspect is facing charges of rape, murder, and defeating the ends of justice. He has since abandoned his bail application.

In recent weeks, four other lifeless bodies of women have been found in Pretoria East, all burned beyond recognition. The police are currently investigating whether Isidro is linked to the other four murders. What a sad way to usher in Woman’s Month.