A fresh discovery of a woman’s body in Tembisa has increased the number of women found dead in South Africa’s Ekurhuleni municipality over the past two months to 10.
The latest victim was discovered inside Mooifontein Cemetery in the Vusimusi section of Tembisa South on Saturday morning.
Police described the woman as partially clothed and said the investigation was still in its early stages.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said officers and forensic personnel were at the scene as investigators began gathering evidence.
Cause of death yet to be established
Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said investigators would rely on a post-mortem examination to determine how the woman died.
Police have assigned specialised investigators to the case as authorities attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding the latest death.
The discovery has intensified concern in communities around Ekurhuleni, where several women’s bodies have been found since July.
Are the killings connected?
Police are investigating possible links between the cases but have not established that they are all connected.
Earlier investigations involved women whose bodies were found in different parts of Ekurhuleni, including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, KwaThema and Dawn Park.
Some of the victims were found partially or completely undressed, prompting investigators to examine possible similarities between the cases.
Authorities have also cautioned against concluding that a serial killer is responsible before investigators establish the facts.
Two women were recently arrested in connection with the killing of the ninth victim, while investigations into the wider series continue.
Gender-based violence remains a major concern
The latest killings have renewed public concern about violence against women in South Africa.
The country has faced persistent gender-based violence and a high murder rate, despite government efforts to address the problem.
Authorities are now working to identify the latest victim, establish the cause of death and determine whether her death is connected to any of the other cases.
