South African police have launched an intensified investigation after the body of a ninth woman was discovered in the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg, amid growing fears over a possible series of connected killings.
The latest victim was found on Thursday morning in Dawn Park, Boksburg. Police said she was believed to be around 30 years old and was discovered partially clothed near a construction site. Preliminary information indicated that her body may have been dumped at the location. Her identity had not been released at the time of reporting.
The discovery brings to nine the number of women whose bodies have been found across Ekurhuleni since July. The cases have prompted a high-level police investigation and increased concern over violence against women in South Africa.
Police have offered a R400,000 reward for information that could help investigators identify and arrest those responsible. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane announced the reward as authorities appealed to members of the public to come forward with credible information.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said authorities had established a high-level multidisciplinary team involving specialised investigators and other law-enforcement experts. Police have also increased their presence in affected areas, including Kempton Park, through Operation Shanela.
Authorities have cautioned against prematurely linking all nine deaths. Police say investigations must establish whether the cases were committed by one person, several perpetrators or potentially involved copycat crimes. The latest case will undergo forensic examination to determine whether it shares characteristics with the earlier killings.
At least one suspect is already in custody in connection with an earlier case, while police continue to pursue other leads. Only a small number of the victims had initially been identified, prompting investigators to appeal to families of missing women to contact authorities.
The deaths have heightened concerns about South Africa’s longstanding problem of gender-based violence and femicide. President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the situation as a national crisis and called for the investigation to be treated as a priority.
Police have also warned members of the public, particularly women, to exercise caution and avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated areas while the investigation continues.
Cachalia said authorities would increase police visibility and mobilise all necessary law-enforcement resources in the affected communities. Officials have urged anyone with information about the killings or missing women to report it to investigators rather than spreading unverified claims on social media.
