Serial killer fears grow as seven women found dead near major city

There are fears that a serial killer is at large after the bodies of seven women were found in the same area of a major South African city.

A body was discovered east of Johannesburg on Tuesday – the seventh victim found in the past two months.

South African authorities said that the cases appear to be linked. However, they did not confirm whether they were the work of the same killer.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) issued a public warning for women to be careful when doing activities like jogging in the area.

“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,” said police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he had directed police authorities to prioritise the ongoing murder investigations.

“I have directed ... that no stone be left unturned in bringing those responsible to justice. Our law enforcement agencies are undertaking this work in partnership with citizens, on whom we depend for any information that may help end these attacks on women,” he said.

The latest victim’s body was found in the Kwa-Thema area, about 21 miles (34km) from Kempton Park.

She was found naked and in an advanced stage of decomposition, police said.

That came just one day after a body was found in Olifantsontein, and three days after the body of a 38-year-old woman was discovered after she went missing in Kempton Park.

Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo had been jogging when she went missing. Her disappearance sparked a frantic search by police and the community, before her body was discovered half-naked.

There are long-standing concerns over violent crime in South Africa, particularly against women and children.

According to the latest figures, the country recorded 5,427 murders between April and July – an average of 45 a day.

Femicide rates in South Africa are among the highest in the world, according to the UN's agency for gender equality.

A South African study in 2022 found that more than 35 per cent of South African adult women had experienced physical or sexual violence at some point.

The Commission for Gender Equality has called for urgent preventive action, including a safety audit of the affected areas involving police, municipal officials, transport authorities and community safety structures.

It said that the audit should assess lighting, surveillance, pedestrian and public transport routes, neglected spaces, police visibility and access to emergency assistance.

“Women should not have to be killed before an area receives heightened attention,” commission spokesperson Javu Baloyi said.