South African police have discovered the body of a ninth woman in the Ekurhuleni municipality east of Johannesburg, deepening fears over a series of killings that have occurred in the area over the past two months.
The latest body was found on Thursday in Dawn Park, Boksburg, bringing to nine the number of women whose bodies have been recovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni since July. Police are investigating whether the deaths are connected, but authorities have cautioned that it is too early to conclude that a serial killer is responsible.
The body was reportedly discovered by a passerby near a construction site and police were alerted. Authorities said the woman appeared to be around 30 years old and had an apparent stab wound to her side, while her throat appeared to have been cut. Forensic investigators had yet to establish the official cause of death.
Deputy National Commissioner of Police Tebello Mosikili said investigators were still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the latest death.
“It’s still very early to make any conclusions about this body,” Mosikili told reporters at the scene.
Police said the latest discovery would be incorporated into the wider investigation into the deaths of women across Ekurhuleni.
Similarities raise serial-killer fears
The first eight victims were women mostly in their 20s and 30s, with police identifying similarities between several of the cases. Some of the victims were found naked or partially clothed, while some bodies reportedly showed signs of bruising or sexual violence.
Police have therefore warned residents to remain vigilant while stressing that the cases have not yet been conclusively linked.
Gauteng provincial police commissioner Fred Kekana said investigators were examining evidence, timelines, locations, victim profiles and the circumstances surrounding each death.
He said authorities were considering “all possibilities”, including the possibility that there could be multiple suspects or separate perpetrators.
The bodies have been found in several communities, including Kempton Park, Pomona, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Rhodesfield, KwaThema and Dawn Park. The first five were discovered in or around Kempton Park, while others were found between roughly 25 and 35 kilometres away.
The discovery has triggered heightened anxiety among residents, particularly women and families with young daughters.
One resident, Nomgqibelo Tshabalala, told Reuters that she had become increasingly fearful after her daughter travelled by Uber, saying she had been unable to sleep because of concern for her safety.
Ramaphosa promises investigation
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged that authorities will leave “no stone unturned” in investigating the deaths.
Police have established a multidisciplinary team involving investigators and forensic specialists to examine the cases and identify those responsible.
Authorities have also offered a 400,000-rand reward for information that leads to the arrest of the perpetrator or perpetrators. Women living near the areas where bodies have been discovered have been advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid travelling alone where possible.
Police have also appealed to the public not to circulate photographs of the victims or unverified information on social media.
Kekana warned that the spread of disturbing images and rumours could intensify public fear and potentially encourage copycat crimes.
Gender-based violence concerns
The killings have renewed national debate about femicide and gender-based violence in South Africa, where violence against women remains a major public-safety concern.
According to police figures cited by Al Jazeera, 9,782 rapes were reported across South Africa between January and March 2026, alongside 12,590 sexual offences. Almost half of the reported rapes occurred at the home of either the victim or the perpetrator.
The latest deaths have prompted vigils, memorial events and demonstrations by women’s rights groups, political organisations and civil society groups demanding stronger action to protect women and ensure accountability.
The discovery of the ninth body has also renewed calls for families to report missing relatives immediately.
Missing In Southern Africa, an organisation supporting missing people and their families, stressed that there is no waiting period before a missing-person report can be made.
As investigators continue comparing the evidence from the nine deaths, authorities have yet to establish whether they were committed by one individual, several people or unrelated perpetrators.
For residents of Ekurhuleni, however, the discovery of another woman’s body has intensified fears and placed further pressure on South African authorities to identify those responsible and prevent further deaths.
