South African police discover body of 10th woman near Johannesburg

What the report says

South African police have found the body of another woman in Thembisa, east of Johannesburg, raising the number of female bodies discovered near the city since mid-July to 10, according to Al Jazeera. The latest discovery was confirmed on Saturday, and police said the woman appeared to have been stoned to death, pending a post-mortem examination.

Authorities are investigating whether the killings are linked. Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said investigators have been assigned to the case, but he cautioned that there is no conclusive evidence yet that one person or group is responsible. Community concern has grown as several of the earlier bodies were found in Ekurhuleni, some within days of one another, and some victims were reported to be partially or fully nude. Police have also said the ninth killing may have been an isolated relationship-related case.

The deaths have intensified scrutiny of violence against women in South Africa, a country that already has one of the world’s highest femicide rates. President Cyril Ramaphosa also commented on the latest discovery, calling it deeply disturbing. As Al Jazeera reported, two women have been charged in connection with the ninth victim’s killing, while investigators continue to examine whether any of the cases are connected.