10th Woman’s Body Found Near Johannesburg as Police Investigate Possible Links

South African police have discovered the body of a woman in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, bringing the number of female bodies found near the city since mid-July to 10.

Police confirmed the discovery on Saturday. The body was found in the morning, according to The Sowetan. Investigators are examining whether the killings are connected.

Cause of death pending

Tommy Mthombeni, the provincial police chief, said the latest victim appeared to have been stoned to death. A post-mortem examination was due to be conducted to establish the cause of death.

“We have put highly capable investigators on this case,” Mthombeni told reporters at the scene.

Police have not confirmed the age of the 10th woman or whether she was clothed when she was found. Before the latest discovery, all of the other deceased women were reportedly in their 20s or 30s. Several were found completely or partially nude.

Police caution against conclusions

Mthombeni told SABC that investigators believed the killing of the ninth woman was an isolated case, although some of the other deaths could be connected. Police said the ninth killing may have been linked to a relationship-related matter, and two women have been charged with her murder.

The police chief said some of the murders shared similarities, but cautioned that there was no conclusive evidence that the same person or group was responsible for all of them. Police are continuing to investigate whether the cases are linked.

The first body in the series was found in mid-July. The woman was naked and restrained with cable ties. Her boyfriend was arrested, but no charges were filed.

In July and August, three bodies were discovered within six kilometres of one another in Ekurhuleni. Six bodies were also found in the area over a 10-day period earlier that month.

President acknowledges discovery

President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the latest discovery while campaigning for upcoming local elections, eNCA reported.

“I’ve sadly heard about 10th body of a woman found in Thembisa,” Ramaphosa said.

“This continues to make us very sad, and in many ways, it’s a shame on the men of South Africa that we continue to kill the women of our beautiful country.”

South Africa has one of the highest femicide rates in the world. The latest deaths have raised concern among community members that the killings could involve the same killer or killers, but investigators have not reached that conclusion.