South Africa Probes Deaths of Eight Women East of Johannesburg

South African police are investigating the deaths of eight women found east of Johannesburg over the past two months, with similarities prompting fears of a serial killer or group of perpetrators, as President Cyril Ramaphosa orders prioritized probes.

Police Probe Eight Women's Deaths East of Johannesburg

South African police are now investigating the deaths of eight women found east of Johannesburg over the past two months, after another body was discovered on Tuesday and an earlier case was added to the widening investigation. [1] The deaths have raised fears that a serial killer or group of killers could be operating in the area. [1] President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday ordered police to prioritize the investigations, saying the deaths were causing "fear and uncertainty" and promising that "no stone will be left unturned." [1] Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia told reporters following a meeting to discuss the killings that "the challenge is ahead of us and the deaths of these young women must not be in vain." [1] The bodies have been discovered at several locations across the Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg. [1]

Victim Profiles and Similarities in Cases

Several of the victims were found naked or partially clothed, with some showing signs of sexual violence. [1] The first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found naked and bound with cable ties on July 15. [1] A suspect was arrested two days later. [1] A 32-year-old woman was found partially clothed on August 24. [1] Another woman's body, found in a river near the Tembisa township on September 7, has now been included in the wider investigation. [1] One of the victims, aged 38, disappeared after leaving her eight-year-old daughter at home to go jogging. [1] Her partially clothed body was found behind a hotel on September 12. [1] Another woman's body was discovered in the Kwa-Thema township on Tuesday. [1]

Public Warnings and Investigation Status

The South African Police Service has issued a public warning urging women to exercise caution when jogging or carrying out similar activities in the area. [1] Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said that while investigations are still underway and SAPS has not at this stage confirmed that the deaths are linked to a serial killer, the similarities are sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning and intensify investigations. [1] Police have not confirmed that the deaths are the work of a serial killer. [1] Mathe said investigators are still determining whether they are dealing with one perpetrator or a group of men behind the murders of these women. [1] Police said similarities between the cases were sufficiently concerning to issue a public warning, including advising women to exercise caution while jogging in the area. [1]

Context of Violence Against Women in South Africa

Violence against women is a longstanding problem in South Africa. [1] UN Women says the country has some of the world's highest rates of violence against women and children. [1] Around one in three South African women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, according to the United Nations. [1] The killings come as violent crime remains a major source of public concern ahead of municipal elections in November. [1]

Related Global Crime Developments

Police and the security service AIVD are investigating the widespread sabotage on train tracks throughout the centre and east of the Netherlands on Tuesday, which brought train services to a standstill for much of the day, amid reports that radical farmers’ protest groups were responsible. [2] Sources told broadcaster NOS they had seen farmer groups discussing taking direct action on Prinsjesdag, including by fixing metal pipes to train lines. [2] No arrests have been made and no group has claimed responsibility so far. [2] A plea agreement was struck on day one of the trial of a pro-Kremlin propagandist charged with activities harmful to Estonia's national security. [3] Oleg Bessedin faces seven years in prison under the terms of the plea agreement. [3] Lead State Prosecutor Taavi Pern said the Prosecutor's Office agreed to resolve the criminal case via a plea agreement provided Bessedin serves seven years of actual prison time and the court confiscates more than €73,000 in assets obtained via the crimes. [3] The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a Mexican national accused of recruiting a methamphetamine expert into Nigeria and uncovered a suspected methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State. [4] The suspect, Arturo Carrera Loaiza, was arrested on 19 August while trying to leave Nigeria through the Murtala Mohammad International Airport in Lagos. [4] NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa stated that the investigation began with the arrest of three Mexican nationals and seven Nigerians at a forest hideout in Ogun State on 16 May. [4]

What to watch next: The court in Estonia is expected to decide on the plea agreement on Monday, September 28, while NDLEA continues to investigate the network and pursue those it believes financed the operations.