South African police are investigating the deaths of nine women whose bodies have been discovered across Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, over the past two months.
The latest victim was found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet beside a road in Dawn Park on Thursday morning. Police said her identity has not yet been established.
The discovery follows the deaths of eight other women whose bodies were found in different parts of Ekurhuleni since July. Some victims were found partially clothed and with injuries. However, police have stressed that they have not established a link between all the deaths or confirmed that a serial killer is responsible.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged that “no stone will be left unturned” in the investigation. Further, he said the killings were creating fear and uncertainty in communities.
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Victims’ Identities
Among the identified victims is 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, who disappeared after leaving home for an afternoon run. Her body was found three days later behind a hotel in Kempton Park.
Other identified victims include Itumeleng Kekana, who had been missing since July, and 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, whose body was discovered beside a road in KwaThema on Tuesday.
The first of the nine bodies was found in Kempton Park on July 15. A suspect was arrested two days later in connection with that case and remains in custody. Police have not linked the person to the other deaths. Bodies have subsequently been found in areas including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema.
Police have established a multidisciplinary investigative team involving detectives, intelligence officers, forensic specialists and other experts to determine whether the cases are connected. Authorities are also pursuing a person of interest, although details about the individual and the case involved have not been released.
