Tenth woman's body found in South Africa suburb as police probe killings

What the report says

Police in South Africa say they have found the body of a woman in a Johannesburg suburb, bringing the number of bodies discovered in recent months to 10 in the Ekurhuleni area, plus another in Soweto, according to BBC World News. The latest body was found on Saturday morning at a cemetery in Tembisa, north-east of central Johannesburg, and was identified by a friend who had been with the woman at a bar the night before.

Gauteng police commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said investigators cannot yet rule out a serial killer, but stressed it is too early to say whether the latest death is linked to the others. He said the cases appear to share similarities in the victims and method of killing, which could help determine whether they are connected. Police said forensic officers were collecting evidence at the scene, and the victim has not been publicly named.

The series of killings has intensified public concern in a country already struggling with high levels of violent crime and gender-based violence. BBC World News reported that the deaths have prompted a national outcry, especially because many of the victims were young women and several suffered severe violence. The arrests and court case involving three men earlier this week in connection with one of the murders show the investigation is ongoing, while authorities continue to look for others who may be involved.