10th Woman Found in South Africa as Fears of Serial Killer Grow
New body found near Johannesburg, raising fears of serial killer. Police investigate 10th victim in ongoing case.
POLICY WIRE — Johannesburg, South Africa — Authorities confirmed the discovery of a 10th woman’s body near Johannesburg, fueling concerns that a serial killer may be at large in the region.
The latest victim was found early Saturday, bringing the total number of women killed in what police are investigating as a series of unsolved cases. The bodies of three women were first discovered in July and August within a 4.3-mile radius in Ekurhuleni, an area east of Johannesburg.
Earlier this month, six more bodies were found in the same municipality over 10 days, prompting heightened public concern. Two women have been charged with murder in connection to the ninth victim, who was found on September 17 and had suffered fatal stab wounds and throat injuries. However, no link has been established between the accused and the other cases.
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Provincial police commissioner Lt. Gen. Tommy Mthombeni stated that while investigators believe the ninth killing may be an isolated incident, they cannot rule out the possibility that some of the other cases are connected. Police have urged women to remain cautious in the area, noting similarities in several of the killings but lacking conclusive evidence that a single perpetrator or group is responsible.
All nine previous victims were women in their 20s or 30s, many of whom were found naked or partially clothed in open areas near major roads. The Investigative Psychology Unit, which focuses on complex and serial violent crimes, is assisting in the probe. Details about the 10th body remain limited, with police confirming only its discovery and stating that crime scene management is underway.
South Africa continues to face high rates of violent crime, including gender-based violence. A recent study revealed that three women were killed daily by intimate partners between 2020 and 2021, and the country maintains one of the world’s highest murder rates, with more than 60 homicides reported each day on average.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
