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A ninth woman’s body has been discovered in Ekurhuleni, adding to a growing number of unexplained deaths that have sparked concern across the East Rand.
The latest discovery was made on Thursday morning, September 17, in Dawn Park, Boksburg. Police said the woman, believed to be about 30 years old, was found partially clothed.
Gauteng acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Fred Kekana said preliminary information suggested that the woman may have been killed elsewhere before her body was dumped at the Dawn Park scene.
“The preliminary information is that it seems the body was dumped there. The incident happened somewhere,” Kekana said.
He added that investigators would follow up on the information as they worked to establish where and how the woman was killed.
The crime scene remained active on Thursday morning, with detectives combing the area for evidence and speaking to people who may have information about the discovery.
The woman’s identity had not yet been released, and police had not confirmed whether she had previously been reported missing.
Ninth body discovered
The Dawn Park discovery comes as police continue investigating the deaths of eight other women whose bodies have been found in different parts of Ekurhuleni since July.
Several of the victims were found naked or partially clothed, while some had visible injuries. These similarities have prompted investigators to examine whether there could be connections between some of the cases.
However, police have cautioned against drawing conclusions before forensic and investigative work is completed.
Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia previously said it was too early to conclude that the deaths were part of a single pattern, while investigators continued to examine each case.
A multidisciplinary team comprising detectives, forensic specialists, crime intelligence officers and specialised police units has been assembled to investigate the deaths.
Growing concern over women’s safety
The latest discovery has intensified concern among residents as police attempt to establish whether the deaths are connected.
Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, was among the women whose deaths have drawn widespread attention. She disappeared after leaving her Kempton Park home for her routine afternoon run and was later found partially clothed behind a hotel in Rhodesfield.
Other bodies have been discovered near the R21, in Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema.
Police have urged women and girls in the affected areas to exercise additional caution while investigations continue, particularly when walking, running or exercising alone.
The police have also offered a R400,000 reward for information that could lead to arrests in connection with the killings, while the Democratic Alliance has announced an additional R500,000 reward.
Police probe possible links
Authorities are now working to establish whether the latest Dawn Park case is connected to the other deaths.
Kekana said investigators were on the ground and that the circumstances surrounding the latest discovery would be established through the investigation.
Police have so far confirmed one arrest in connection with one of the earlier cases and are also pursuing another person of interest.
Forensic examinations are expected to play an important role in determining how the women died and whether there are similarities between the cases.
The latest discovery brings renewed pressure on investigators to establish who is responsible for the deaths and whether the victims were targeted by the same perpetrator or perpetrators.
For now, police have not confirmed that a serial killer is responsible, nor have they established that all nine cases are connected. Investigations remain ongoing.
