South African police discover body of 10th woman near Johannesburg

South African police announced on Saturday that another woman's body had been discovered near Johannesburg, raising the total number of victims to ten in a series of killings under investigation. The police began their probe following the discovery of three women's bodies in July and August, all within a 4.3-mile radius in the Ekurhuleni municipality, located east of Johannesburg.

The appearance of six bodies in the same area over a ten-day period earlier this month heightened concerns that a serial killer or killers might be responsible. Two women were arrested and charged with murder in connection with the ninth body, found on September 17. The victim had suffered severe injuries, including a stabbed abdomen and a slashed throat, according to police.

However, the officers have not linked the two women charged to any of the other killings. Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, the provincial police commissioner, stated that investigators believed the ninth killing to be an isolated incident but could not rule out the possibility that some of the other cases might be linked. Police have issued a warning for women to exercise caution while in the affected area.

Despite identifying some similarities in the killings, the authorities have not found conclusive evidence that the same individual or individuals were responsible for all the crimes. All nine bodies discovered prior to Saturday belonged to women aged between their twenties and thirties. Several were found naked or partially clothed and left in open areas close to major roads.

The Investigative Psychology Unit, a specialized team in dealing with complex or serial violent crimes, is currently involved in the investigation. Police have released limited details about the 10th body, which was discovered early Saturday, and have not yet publicly identified the victim. We can only confirm the discovery of the body, the South African Police Service stated, adding that all crime scene management and other relevant stakeholders are currently present at the scene.

South Africa has been grappling with high rates of violent crime and violence against women, with a recent study revealing that three women are killed every day by an intimate partner from 2020 to 2021. The nation also ranks among the top global murder rates, averaging over 60 deaths daily. The incidents in Ekurhuleni have sparked a nationwide outcry over the safety of women.