South African police have discovered the body of another young woman near Johannesburg, bringing to nine the number of women found dead in the area over the past two months.
Police made the discovery on Thursday while investigating a series of killings that have raised concern across the country.
Authorities said the latest victim appeared to be within the same age range as the other women whose bodies were previously found. However, police said it was too early to confirm whether the deaths were connected.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged that authorities will thoroughly investigate the killings.
The victims were mostly women in their 20s and 30s. Some of the bodies were reportedly found without clothes and with signs indicating possible sexual violence.
The deaths have renewed concerns over gender-based violence and public safety in South Africa, where violence against women remains a major social problem.
Deputy National Commissioner for Policing, Tebello Mosikili, said officers were called to the scene on Thursday morning after the discovery of the latest body.
“We were called here this morning after the discovery of yet another body of a young woman,” Mosikili told reporters at the scene.
She said investigators were still gathering information and warned against drawing conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.
The latest body appeared to have been dumped at the location, police said, suggesting that the woman may have died elsewhere.
“It’s still very early to make any conclusions about this body,” Mosikili said.
Residents Fear for Women’s Safety
The discoveries have left residents in the Ekurhuleni area, east of Johannesburg, worried about their safety.
A resident, Nomgqibelo Tshabalala, said the situation had caused fear among families, particularly those with daughters.
She said she became particularly worried after her daughter used an Uber on Wednesday, adding that she could not sleep because of concerns over her safety.
Police have not said whether the latest death is linked to the other killings.
Investigations are continuing as authorities work to establish the identities of the victims, the circumstances surrounding their deaths and whether the cases are connected.
