The latest body was discovered in an open veld near Rhokana Road in Springs at about noon on Sunday. This recent finding has intensified concern over the murders, with eight of the 11 bodies having been found this month alone. Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the discovery of the body. A security company vehicle patrolling the area noticed the body and alerted the police.
The latest discovery came shortly after police arrested a man allegedly linked to the murder of the woman whose body was found at Mooifontein Cemetery in Tembisa South on Saturday morning. The suspect allegedly fled to Tzaneen in Limpopo following the murder and was arrested at about 11pm on Saturday. This arrest brings to four the number of people in police custody in connection with the deaths.
Although police have not established a link between the cases, Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane commended Gauteng police for the arrest. He praised the multidisciplinary team for their swift response, co-ordination and determination, which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect on the same day. The police will continue to pursue perpetrators of murder and gender-based violence and femicide.
The Tembisa victim was found semi-naked inside Mooifontein Cemetery, with Gauteng police saying preliminary information indicated that she appeared to have been stoned to death. A post-mortem examination is expected to establish the cause of death. The police have not confirmed that the cases are linked, and the circumstances surrounding the latest woman’s death were not immediately known.
The Ekurhuleni deaths have not been the only recent mass-casualty attacks to raise alarm. At least 27 people were killed and more than 20 wounded in two separate shootings in South African townships over the weekend. In Wedela, southwest of Johannesburg, at least 17 people were killed and 15 wounded in a shooting at a tavern late on Saturday.
In a separate shooting early on Sunday, at least 10 people were killed and 11 wounded at a store in Lwandle near Cape Town. The shootings came just days after 11 people, including a pregnant woman, were killed at a house near Amanzimtoti. The police have opened 17 murder cases, 15 attempted murder cases and two cases relating to property damage.
A multidisciplinary team was mobilised to the scene, including members of the task team investigating the Ekurhuleni murder cases, crime scene management, Investigative Psychology Services, detectives and Crime Intelligence. The police are working to establish a link between the cases and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The community is urged to cooperate with the police to help bring an end to the violence.
Key points
- The killing spree targeting women in Ekurhuleni has continued, with two more bodies found in just two days.
- The police have arrested four people in connection with the deaths, but have not established a link between the cases.
- The Ekurhuleni deaths are part of a larger pattern of mass-casualty attacks in South African townships.
