Omanghana
The discovery of another woman’s body in South Africa’s Ekurhuleni municipality has brought the number found in the area to 11 in 10 weeks, deepening concern as police investigate whether any of the deaths are connected.
Eight of the women have been found in September alone. Despite public fears about a possible serial killer, investigators have not established a link between the cases.
The latest body was discovered around midday on Sunday, September 27, in an open field near Rhokana Road in Struisbult, Springs, east of Johannesburg. Security personnel patrolling the area spotted the body and alerted police.
The woman’s identity, age and cause of death had not been officially confirmed in the initial police update. Detectives and forensic specialists were deployed to examine the scene alongside the task team investigating the other Ekurhuleni deaths.
The discovery came a day after the body of Ntombifuthu Nxumalo was found near Mooifontein Cemetery in Thembisa. Police said she was found naked with severe head injuries. Stones surrounding her body raised suspicions that she may have been stoned, although a post-mortem examination was required to establish the cause of death.
A man suspected of involvement in Nxumalo’s killing was arrested on Saturday evening in Motlhabaneng village in Bolobedu, Limpopo. Investigators traced him there after preliminary inquiries into her movements before her death.
Separately, two women were previously charged with murder in connection with one of the earlier deaths. A man initially detained in that investigation was released without charge. Police had not linked the two accused women to the other killings.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni said forensic work, including DNA and fingerprint analysis, would assist efforts to identify the latest victim. Investigative psychologists are also supporting detectives examining the cases.
Mthombeni said a R400,000 reward was available for information that could help investigators, while urging residents to come forward with relevant details.
The deaths have renewed attention on South Africa’s persistent crisis of violence against women. The national Gender-Based Violence Command Centre received 6,782 distress calls between September 1 and 16, averaging 424 calls daily. That represented a 21 per cent increase compared with the same period in August.
Source: Omanghana
