JOHANNESBURG — South African police confirmed the discovery of a ninth woman’s body on Thursday in an area east of Johannesburg. This finding is part of an ongoing investigation into a series of killings that have alarmed the local community over the past two months. Authorities are working diligently to address the heightened fears among residents as they seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.
Police previously said that some similarities in the killings of the first eight victims were “sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning. Police said the discovery of the latest body early Thursday “will be added to the investigations into the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni. Provincial police commissioner Fred Kekana said a passerby found the woman’s body near a construction site and alerted police. Kekana said police had not established whether her death was linked to the other cases and appealed for information. “There is no waiting period to report a missing person,” it said.
All nine bodies were found in the Ekurhuleni municipality, raising concerns that the killings were carried out by the same person or people. “The moment you suspect that someone is missing, report it immediately to the South African Police Service. Women’s rights advocates, political parties and civil society organizations marched to Kempton Park Police Station on Thursday, demanding stronger measures to protect women and children and hold perpetrators accountable.
The discoveries have sent shock waves around the country, sparked a high-level investigation and highlighted the scourges of femicide and high levels of violent crime .
