Ninth Woman Found Dead as South Africa Killing Spree Sparks Fear

South African police have recovered the body of a ninth woman in the area east of Johannesburg, as a series of killings over the past two months continues to cause widespread concern.

The latest body was discovered on Thursday in Dawn Park, prompting renewed calls for urgent action against the suspected killings.

Police have imposed a lockdown in parts of Kempton Park in the Ekurhuleni municipality and established roadblocks as investigators intensify efforts to identify those responsible.

Deputy Police Chief Tebello Mosikili said authorities were concerned about the growing number of bodies being discovered.

Police have announced a reward of 400,000 rand, approximately $25,000, for information leading to the arrest of the suspected killer or killers. The Democratic Alliance has also offered a $31,000 reward.

Mosikili said investigators would determine whether the latest killing was connected to the earlier cases or whether it involved a copycat offender.

One of the victims, 38-year-old Elizabeth Moselakgomo, disappeared after leaving her eight-year-old daughter at home to go jogging. Her body was discovered on September 12 behind a hotel.

Her disappearance attracted widespread attention after fellow runners launched a social media campaign to help locate her. The campaign also drew attention to several earlier cases.

The first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found naked and bound with cable ties on July 15. Police arrested a suspect two days later, and he appeared in court on Wednesday. Authorities said the suspect is a foreign national but did not disclose his country of origin.

A second woman, aged 32, was found partially clothed on August 24, while a third was discovered naked and badly decomposed on September 10.

The latest discoveries have heightened concerns about gender-based violence in South Africa. According to the United Nations, about one in three women in the country experiences physical or sexual violence during her lifetime.

Police say investigations are continuing as authorities work to establish whether the deaths are connected and bring those responsible to justice.