South African police discover body of 11th woman near Johannesburg

What the report says

South African police said they found the body of another woman east of Johannesburg, in the Ekurhuleni municipality, adding to a series of deaths that have raised alarm over violence against women in the country. According to Al Jazeera, the latest body was discovered in an open field on Sunday by police after a security vehicle patrolling the area alerted officers. The new finding brings the total number of female bodies found near the city since mid-July to 11.

The article says the latest victim’s identity, age and cause of death were not immediately known. A day earlier, another woman was found near a cemetery in the same area. Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said that earlier victim appeared to have been stoned to death, though a post-mortem was still needed. Police have also said they are investigating whether the killings are connected, while community concern has grown that one perpetrator or a group may be responsible.

Al Jazeera reported that four people are now in custody in connection with the wider series of killings, including a man arrested far from Ekurhuleni after Saturday’s discovery. President Cyril Ramaphosa also commented on the case during the election campaign, expressing sadness over the killings. More broadly, South Africa has one of the world’s highest femicide rates, which helps explain why each new discovery has intensified public concern and scrutiny of police investigations.