Police in South Africa discovered another woman's body near East Johannesburg Airport on Thursday. This is the ninth such case found in the area in the past two months, raising concerns about the connection between these murders and the possibility of a serial killer.
Details of the Body Discovery
The body of this woman, who had been brutally attacked and was partially undressed, was found near a construction site by a passerby. The woman, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, appears to be around 30 years old and has stab wounds in the side and cuts on her neck. However, the exact cause of death has not yet been officially determined.
Increased Concerns and Security Measures
Previously, investigators had announced that the similarities in the murders of the eight previous victims were so alarming that the police were compelled to issue a public warning. The new discovery of this woman's body on Thursday adds to the investigations into the deaths of women in Akrohlini. Following these incidents, a quarantine has been established in Kempton Park in Akrohlini, and the police have set up checkpoints.
Tabello Musikhili, Deputy Police Chief, told reporters at the scene: "We cannot continue collecting bodies." He also noted that investigators are looking into whether this new discovery is connected to previous murders or if a copycat killer may also be active.
The police have announced a reward of 400,000 rand (approximately $25,000 or €21,400) for information leading to the arrest of this killer. The Gauteng provincial leader, Panyaza Lesufi, also stated on Thursday: "Someone has declared war against us, and we will fight back; we will not surrender."
President Cyril Ramaphosa also announced on Tuesday that "no stone will be left unturned" until these crimes are resolved. He said: "These incidents have caused fear and uncertainty in our communities, especially among women." South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and gender-based violence is also a serious issue in the country. The government has declared a national state of emergency to address this problem.
The United Nations estimates that one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
