A ninth woman’s body has been found in Ekurhuleni, adding to growing concern over a series of deaths involving women across the metro.
SABC News reported that the latest body was discovered in bushes at Dawn Park in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.
The discovery brings the number of women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni since July to nine, according to SABC News.
Body found in Dawn Park
Police were at the scene on Thursday morning after the body was discovered in the area.
Major-General Fred Kekana told SABC News that preliminary indications suggested the woman’s body had been dumped at the scene.
Police had not yet released further details about the woman’s identity or the circumstances surrounding her death at the time of the report.
Authorities have also not confirmed that all nine deaths are connected or that a single perpetrator is responsible.
Eighth victim identified
The latest discovery comes a day after police confirmed the identity of the eighth woman whose body was found in Kwa-Thema, Springs.
SABC News reported that she was 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane.
Her family positively identified her body at the Springs Mortuary on Wednesday afternoon.
According to police, Motapane was last seen alive on Sunday. Her family had not yet reported her missing when her body was discovered on the side of a road in Kwa-Thema.
Investigation continues
Police have been investigating the deaths of women found in different parts of Ekurhuleni since July.
A multidisciplinary team has been established to probe the cases and determine whether any of the deaths are linked.
Authorities have repeatedly urged the public not to speculate while investigators work through the evidence.
The discovery in Dawn Park now brings the number of bodies under scrutiny to nine.
Police are expected to continue gathering evidence at the latest scene as efforts continue to establish who the woman was and how she died.