Online Reporter
The bodies of nine women have been found in South Africa in just two months – sparking a major police investigation into whether the deaths are linked.
The discoveries, all in an area north of Johannesburg, have sent shock waves through the country, and highlighted the high rate of femicide in South Africa.
All of the victims have been women aged between 20 and 38 and were found either naked or partially clothed with bruises on their bodies, South African Police Service (SAPS) said.
Police previously said some similarities in the killings of the first eight victims were “sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning”.
On Thursday, investigators announced a ninth body had been discovered in the same Ekurhuleni area.
Detectives said the discovery of the latest body “will be added to the investigations into the deaths of women”. -Skynews
The unidentified woman, who appeared to be about 30, was found near a construction site by a passer-by and had an apparent stab wound to her side, while her throat appeared to have been cut, police said.
Fred Kekana, the Gauteng provincial commissioner, said police are examining whether the cases are connected, but warned against prematurely attributing the deaths as the work of one perpetrator or a serial killer.
“Investigators are considering all possibilities, including the possibility of multiple suspects or separate perpetrators,” he said.
“Police are comparing the evidence, timelines, locations, victim profiles and circumstances of each case before reaching conclusions.”
He added that the similarities in the deaths and the proximity was a cause for concern.
“While investigations are still underway and SAPS has not, at this stage, confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations,” Mr Kekana said.
One of the earlier victims has been identified as 38-year-old runner Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, who went missing last week.
She was reported missing after her 8-year-old daughter alerted family members that she had not returned from her daily afternoon run. Ms Moselakgomo was found dead several days later.
derick.khumalo