South Africa: 11 Women Found Dead in Ekurhuleni in 10 Weeks
By Halimatu Abdulkadiri
South African police have confirmed the discovery of another woman’s body in the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg, bringing the number of women found dead in the area over the past 10 weeks to 11.
Police said the latest body was discovered around midday on Sunday in an open area after a security company vehicle patrolling the vicinity spotted it and alerted authorities.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Brenda Muridili, confirmed the discovery but said the identity, age and cause of death of the victim were not immediately known.
The latest incident came a day after police found the body of a semi-naked woman near a cemetery in the same municipality.
According to provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni, the woman appeared to have been stoned to death. A post-mortem examination is expected to establish the exact cause of death.
Police also said a man allegedly linked to the killing was arrested nearly 400 kilometres away after leaving the area.
The arrest brings to four the number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the deaths.
Eight of the 11 women were found dead this month, raising concern across South Africa, which continues to record high levels of violent crime and gender-based violence.
The victims were mostly in their 20s and 30s. Some were reportedly found partially or completely undressed and with indications of possible sexual assault.
However, police said the cases have not been officially linked, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding each death are ongoing.
The deaths come amid continuing concerns over gender-based violence in South Africa. The national Gender-Based Violence Command Centre recorded 6,782 distress calls between September 1 and 16, an average of about 424 calls daily.
The figure represented a 21 per cent increase compared with the same period in August, according to available data.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the deaths as forensic examinations and other inquiries are carried out.
