Nine women found dead in Ekurhuleni as police investigate possible links

Police in South Africa have uncovered the bodies of nine women in the Ekurhuleni municipality, part of the greater Johannesburg area, over the past two months. The latest victim, an unidentified woman in her thirties, was found stabbed and partially clothed in Dawn Park on September 17. She is the ninth woman whose death authorities say shares similarities with earlier cases.

Four of the victims have been identified: Dineo Motapane, 38, a mother of two; Gracious Nkomo, 28, whose body was found on the R21 highway; Elizabeth Moselakgomo, 38, whose daughter reported her missing; and Itumeleng Kekana, 32, a shopkeeper whose body was recovered from a bridge in July. Five victims remain unidentified.

Investigators have not yet confirmed whether a single perpetrator or multiple offenders are responsible, but they note common factors such as the victims' ages, partial clothing, and bruising. Gauteng police commissioner Fred Kekana said investigators are "considering all possibilities, including the possibility of multiple suspects or separate perpetrators" and are comparing evidence, timelines, locations and victim profiles.

At least one suspect has been detained, with Deputy Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili indicating the individual is not a South African national. Acting national police commissioner Puleng Dimpane also mentioned a person of interest, though details were unclear. Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi described the crimes as a declaration of war against the state and expressed confidence in law-enforcement's ability to resolve the case.

Police have offered a reward of 400,000 rand for information leading to an arrest and urged the public to report any relevant tips. They also advised women in the area to avoid walking or running alone near known locations of the bodies.

Women's rights groups warned that safety messaging should not place the burden on women, emphasizing that responsibility for violence lies with perpetrators and the state. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on men to help combat gender-based violence, urging them to challenge harmful norms and report abuse.

The killings have heightened public fear and anger over gender-based violence, a problem South Africa faces at rates far above the global average. Officials from the Commission for Gender Equality and the UN in South Africa described the murders as part of a broader crisis affecting women and girls.