JOHANNESBURG — South African police said a ninth woman’s body was discovered Thursday in an area east of Johannesburg where they are investigating a series of killings over the past two months that have sparked acute fears in the community.
The unidentified woman appeared to be about 30 and had an apparent stab wound to her side, while her throat appeared to have been cut, he said. Because the current situation is becoming unbearable, “I hope the government can assist us by arresting the person or people who have been committing these killings,. All nine bodies were found in the Ekurhuleni municipality, raising concerns that the killings were carried out by the same person or people. 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 . Forensic investigators had not yet determined the official cause of death. He also urged people not to circulate photographs of the bodies or unverified reports on social media, warning that they were spreading fear and could encourage copycat crimes. A multidisciplinary team of experts is investigating. So far, bodies have been found across several Ekurhuleni communities, including Kempton Park, Pomona, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Rhodesfield, KwaThema and Dawn Park. He urged the public to give investigators time to gather sufficient evidence. “They’ve declared war against the state.
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. We don’t know what’s to happen next,” Dawn Park resident Nomgqibelo Tshabalala said. Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng province, said police were making progress in two or three cases, although he did not provide details. We’ll respond,” Lesufi told reporters at the scene. “We’re not going to surrender.”
Residents of Dawn Park, the Johannesburg suburb where the ninth body was found on Thursday, were stunned by the discovery.
Missing In Southern Africa, which supports missing people and their families, urged communities and families to report immediately when they suspected that one of their relatives might be missing. “The moment you suspect that someone is missing, report it immediately to the South African Police Service. Some communities across Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, have held prayer services for the victims. They urged those at the top of religious hierarchies to address the issue openly and help survivors obtain shelter, counseling and legal assistance. “That silence must end. Associated Press video journalist Kayleen Morgan in Johannesburg contributed to this report. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
A coalition representing more than 1,000 faith leaders, activists and partner organizations called for tougher action against gender-based violence and more accountability.
The organization said the discoveries had deepened the anguish of families searching for loved ones. “There is no waiting period to report a missing person,” it said. Running clubs across Johannesburg have this week organized memorial runs in honor of Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, the woman who disappeared last week while jogging and was found dead several days later. “Too often, silence from the pulpit has stood in for the courage to name gender-based violence directly,” it said.
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.
