Ninth body found in South African killings as police probe potential group

South African police have confirmed the discovery of a ninth woman’s body in Dawn Park, east of Johannesburg, following a series of unexplained deaths in the Ekurhuleni urban area since July. The latest victim, believed to be in her 30s, was found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet on the side of a road on Thursday morning. Local media reported that the woman appeared to have bruises and stab wounds, though her identity has not yet been released.

The discovery adds to the growing list of victims in a case that has sparked significant concern across the region. The first of the nine bodies was found in Kempton Park on 15 July, with subsequent discoveries occurring in August and September in locations including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville, and KwaThema. Three victims have been identified to date: Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, Itumeleng Kekana, and Dineo Evelyn Motapane.

While President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed that “no stone will be left unturned” in finding those responsible, police have cautioned against assuming all deaths are linked to a single serial killer. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia stated that investigators are dealing with what appears, at this stage, to be “quite distinct, separate events,” though the possibility of a group being behind the killings is under investigation. A suspect was arrested two days after the first discovery and remains in custody, but has not yet been linked to the other deaths.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described the current state of the investigation by stating that “the gloves are off,” asserting that authorities have the capacity to deal with the killings. To support this effort, police have assembled a multidisciplinary team comprising detectives, intelligence officers, and forensic experts. They are also pursuing a person of interest, although the specific cases connected to this individual have not been disclosed.

In response to the rise in serious and violent crimes against women, authorities have offered a 400,000 rand reward for information leading to arrests. Police have also issued specific safety advice, urging women to avoid walking alone, using isolated routes, or wearing earphones at high volume. They have appealed to families with missing relatives to assist in identifying the remaining victims.

The cases have heightened concerns regarding gender-based violence in South Africa, a country where the rate at which women are killed is five times higher than the global average, according to UN Women. The government classified violence against women as a national disaster in November following countrywide protests, a designation that underscores the institutional weight now placed on resolving these deaths.