South African police have found the body of a ninth woman near Johannesburg as they investigate a series of murders over the past two months.
The unidentified victim was found in Dawn Park in the Ekurhuleni municipality on Thursday morning. Her body was reportedly partially unclothed and appeared to have been dumped near a construction site. Gauteng’s Department of Community Safety said a multidisciplinary team has been mobilized to investigate the cases and identify those responsible. It has appealed to the public for information.
The latest discovery follows eight others in Kempton Park, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Rhodesfield, and KwaThema. Most of the victims were women in their 20s and 30s whose bodies were found in open areas or near roads. Several were naked or partially clothed, while some showed signs of bruising or other injuries.
Police have not established that the women were killed by the same person or group. However, investigators have said similarities between the cases are sufficiently concerning to examine whether a serial killer could be responsible.
The first body was discovered near the R21 highway in Kempton Park in July. The 37-year-old victim was found naked and restrained with cable ties. A suspect reportedly identified as her partner was arrested in connection with the case but has not been linked to the other deaths.
Among the victims was 38-year-old Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, whose disappearance after leaving home for a run prompted a widespread appeal. Her partially clothed and bruised body was discovered near the R21 highway on September 12.
The authorities have deployed additional officers, increased patrols, and offered a 400,000-rand ($25,000) reward for information leading to arrests.
In a message delivered at a memorial event on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the killings have “disturbed our nation” and created fear in local communities. He directed police to “leave no stone unturned” and use all available means, including the latest surveillance technology, to track down those responsible.
The incidents have intensified public anger over violence against women in South Africa, where the female homicide rate is nearly six times the global average, according to UN data.