Twelve women killed in one part of South Africa since July; here’s what we know so far

In a deeply concerning development in South Africa, twelve women have been found dead in the Ekurhuleni region, a part east of Johannesburg, within a mere two-month span. The latest discoveries were made between Saturday and Monday. This grim toll has elicited widespread alarm, particularly in Kempton Park. While three arrests have been made, police have not yet identified a direct link between these cases.

The first victim, Busisiwe Mahlangu, was discovered naked with her hands tied with cable ties in Kempton Park on July 15th. Her partner, suspected of the murder, has been in police custody since. The second, Itumeleng Kekana, vanished in July and was found brutally bruised on a bridge in Kempton Park. No arrests have been made in her case.

Nomfesane Mjobo's body was found in Kempton Park on August 26th, similarly clothed and bruised. The same can be said for the unidentified woman discovered floating in a river in Olifantsfontein on September 7th. Gracious Nkomo's partially clothed body was discovered on a road near the busiest airport on September 10th, while Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo was found badly bruised and partially clothed on September 12th, sparking alarm.

Another body, believed to be that of Unidentified Woman, was found in Olifantsfontein on September 14th, though police have withheld her name pending family notification. Dineo Motapane's body was found battered and burned on the side of the road in Springs on September 15th. Dife Ntimba's body, found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet on September 17th, may have been linked to a love triangle, with three individuals initially arrested for her murder.

Ntombifuthi Nxumalo's body was discovered near a cemetery on September 26th, showing severe head injuries, leading police to suspect she may have been stoned to death. A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with her death.

The eleventh victim, another unidentified woman, was found drowned in a dam in Soweto on September 20th, though police have not yet established a link to the Ekurhuleni murders. The twelfth and final victim, a 23-year-old woman, was shot and killed while on her way to work on September 21st. Police have not yet made any arrests in her case.

President Cyril Ramaphosa described these killings as a "stain on our national conscience," noting that South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates, with 569 women killed between April and June.