Women of Ekurhuleni, South Africa, have expressed fear and demanded urgent police and government action following the discovery of the body of another woman in Dawn Park on Thursday morning.
The discovery of the corpse of the woman, believed to be about 30 years old, brings to nine the number of female bodies found in the Ekurhuleni area in roughly two months, according to reports.
The most recent victim was discovered next to a road, partly unclothed and wrapped in a bedsheet. At the time of reporting, neither her identity nor the circumstances of her death had been determined.
Addressing eNCA at the scene, residents spoke of mounting fear within their communities and urged authorities to intervene without delay.
“We are scared,” one of the women said, urging the police and government to act.
“The police must do something and the government must also do something. We are so very scared.”
Another resident disclosed that they had not been allowed to see the latest victim and therefore could not identify her.
“We don’t know because they didn’t allow us to see her,” the resident said.
Another of the women stated that the repeated discovery of female bodies had made her increasingly afraid.
“I feel so scared about that. Every day a body was found. I don’t know, I feel scared about that,” she said.
People especially women living in other areas of Ekurhuleni have raised similar worries.
Earlier this week, community members in KwaThema said that with more bodies being found, they were growing afraid to walk through their neighbourhoods.
The most recent discovery is part of a wider police investigation into a string of female deaths reported since July. Bodies have been discovered in places such as Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema.
Some of the victims had been reported missing before their bodies were found.
Among them was Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, a 38-year-old mother who went missing after leaving home for an afternoon run. Several days later, her body was discovered.
Another victim, 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, was identified this week after her body was found in KwaThema, Springs. Her family formally identified her at the Springs Mortuary.
As of Thursday, police said three of the victims had been identified, while work continued to determine the identities of the others.
Police have also stated that some victims in the earlier Kempton Park cases showed signs of sexual assault.
A multidisciplinary investigative team made up of detectives, forensic specialists and other specialised units has been put together to establish whether the deaths are linked.
Police, however, have warned against jumping to the conclusion that a serial killer is responsible, noting that investigations are still under way.
Authorities have urged families with missing relatives to come forward as investigators try to identify the victims who remain unidentified.
They are also reviewing records from other government departments to see whether more unidentified female bodies might be connected to the investigation.
A reward of R400,000 has been offered for information that could help the investigation, and the Democratic Alliance announced a further R500,000 reward.
Police operations in the affected areas have also been stepped up.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed police to treat the cases as a priority, while Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has promised stronger efforts to find those responsible.
For residents, though, the latest discovery has barely eased their fears.
Their concerns focus on the repeated discovery of women’s bodies in different communities across Ekurhuleni and on the uncertainty about whether the cases are linked.
Although speculation about a possible serial killer has grown stronger, authorities have not confirmed any such connection.
For residents, the pressing need is still for the police and government to clarify what is going on and to make sure those responsible are held accountable.
