Series of femicides shakes Johannesburg area
Quick Look
- Police in Johannesburg are investigating nine murders of women in Ekurhuleni since July.
- The bodies have been found half-undressed and with visible injuries.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised a thorough investigation and authorities have announced a reward for tips.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Since July, nine women have been found murdered in the Ekurhuleni area. South Africa has a historically high level of violence against women.
The latest find was made on a roadside in Dawn Park on Thursday morning. The dead woman's body was half undressed and was wrapped in a sheet. The police have not yet been able to determine the woman's identity, the BBC reports.
The discovery comes after the bodies of eight other women have been found in Ekurhuleni, a major metropolitan area in Johannesburg, since July this year.
The police in Johannesburg state that several of the women have been found with visible injuries and half naked. They have not been able to determine whether or not the murders are connected.
One of the victims is a 38-year-old woman who disappeared last week after leaving her home for a run. Her body was found behind a hotel in Kempton Park three days later.
The killings have sparked fear in the area and come after long-standing concerns about high levels of violence against women in South Africa.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that "they will turn over every stone" to find out who or who are behind the murders, the BBC reports.
In the first murder case, which took place on July 15, a man is in custody on suspicion of the crime.
Authorities have promised a reward of 400,000 rand, equivalent to approximately 240,000 Swedish kronor, to anyone who provides information that could lead to an arrest.
Open Questions
- Are the murders connected?
- Who is the perpetrator or perpetrators?
