Concerns over a possible serial killer in South Africa have intensified after police discovered the body of a ninth woman in Ekurhuleni Municipality, east of Johannesburg.
The latest discovery was made early Thursday near a construction site in Dawn Park, adding to a series of unexplained deaths involving women reported across the municipality over the past two months.
Police said the ninth victim had not yet been identified. Gauteng provincial police commissioner Fred Kekana said a passerby discovered the body and contacted authorities.
According to Kekana, the woman appeared to be around 30 years old. She had what appeared to be a stab wound to her side, while investigators also observed an apparent injury to her throat.
However, forensic specialists were yet to establish the official cause of death.
Police are investigating whether the latest case is connected to the deaths of eight other women whose bodies were previously discovered in different parts of Ekurhuleni.
Authorities had earlier warned the public after identifying similarities among the first eight cases, saying the circumstances were sufficiently concerning to warrant a public alert.
Kekana said investigators would incorporate the latest discovery into the ongoing investigations but stressed that police had not established a connection between the cases.
He appealed to anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist investigators.
The police commissioner also urged members of the public to avoid sharing photographs of the victims or unverified claims about the killings on social media. He warned that such material could increase public anxiety and potentially encourage copycat crimes.
The discovery has left residents of Dawn Park deeply concerned.
Nomgqibelo Tshabalala, a resident of the area, called on the government and security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the killings.
She said residents were increasingly worried about their safety as the investigations continued.
The bodies linked to the ongoing investigations have been discovered in several Ekurhuleni communities, including Kempton Park, Pomona, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Rhodesfield, KwaThema and Dawn Park.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said investigators were making progress in two or three of the cases, although he did not disclose specific details about the investigations.
Lesufi appealed to residents to allow the police to gather enough evidence before drawing conclusions about the cases.
Speaking to reporters at the scene, the Gauteng premier said authorities would continue working to identify those responsible for the deaths.
For now, South African police have not confirmed that a serial killer is responsible for the nine deaths, and investigations are continuing to determine whether the cases are connected.
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