GAUTENG Premier Nomvula Mokonyane fears there is a serial killer on the loose in Mabopane, north of Pretoria, after the murders of three elderly women showed similarities.

"We must escalate these cases beyond the police station. We have a serial killer on the loose, there are several common things that happened in the cases," Mokonyane said yesterday on a visit to the family of the recently murdered Francinah Mopelong.

Mopelong, 72, was found dead in her home at the weekend in Mabopane block E. She had been stabbed. Her neighbour suffered the same fate in October last year and another woman, who lived 4km away, died the same way about a month ago.

Mokonyane said the victims were all elderly, were stabbed and in all cases the killer did not take any belongings.

She said she has asked the Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-Colonel Mzwandile Petros to handle the three murder cases.

He will be assisted by the area commissioner Brigadier Nick Sethole.

Mokonyane said no one has a right to interfere with the lives of the elderly.

"We are sure that we will apprehend the suspect and we hope to do it before another murder happens. Senior citizens deserve respect and love," she said.

Mopelong's son Gary said they were still shocked about what had happened.

"We are traumatised. We feel delighted that the premier came; it shows she cares," he said.