South African Police Find Tenth Woman Dead East of Johannesburg
South African police discovered the body of a tenth woman in Ekurhuleni east of Johannesburg on Saturday, adding to a string of nine similar killings over the past two months that have raised concerns about violence against women. [1]
Tenth Body Discovered
The semi-naked body was found near a cemetery in Tembisa township. [1] Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said the victim appeared to have been stoned to death. [1] A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. [1] Police spokeswoman Brigadier Brenda Muridili stated that crime scene management and all the necessary role players are currently on the scene. [1] At this stage police can only confirm the discovery of the body. [2] The discovery brings to ten the number of women found dead in the municipality over the past two months. [2]
Local television station eNCA reported that the semi-naked body was found at a cemetery. [2] Senior officers have vowed to find those responsible for the killings. [1] The latest find adds to growing concern over violence against women while police work to establish whether the killings are connected. [2]
Pattern of Killings
The nine other victims were mostly in their 20s and 30s. [1] Some were found stripped of their clothes and showed signs of sexual assault. [2] 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 in that case. [2] Two other suspects, women aged 31 and 38, were arrested in connection with the ninth victim and charged on Monday. [1] Police have said that killing may have stemmed from a relationship-related matter. [2]
Police Response and Reward
Police have offered a 400,000 rand reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers. [1] The Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, has put up a further $31,000. [1] Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni told reporters at the scene that highly capable investigators have been put on the case. [1] Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that all necessary role players remain at the scene. [2]
Context of Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence is endemic in South Africa despite years of government pledges to tackle the problem and the declaration of gender-based violence as a national disaster. [1] Last week the South African government said the national Gender-Based Violence Command Centre received 6,782 distress calls between September 1 and 16. [1] That figure represents an average of 424 calls a day and marks a 21 percent increase from the same period in August when the centre averaged 350 calls a day. [1] South Africa, a nation of 62 million people, has one of the world’s highest murder rates with more than 60 killings a day on average. [2]
Ongoing Investigation
Forensic investigators continue to work at the site where the body was discovered on the outskirts of Johannesburg. [1] Crime scene management remains active while post-mortem results are awaited. [2] The Democratic Alliance contribution supplements the police reward as investigators seek information on possible connections among the cases. [1] Senior officers have reiterated their commitment to identifying those responsible. [1]
What to watch next: Police continue scene management and forensic work while the offered reward remains in place for information leading to arrests.
