Police work at the scene in Vusimusi Section, Tembisa, where a woman’s body was found on Saturday morning. Image credit Supplied
A Tembisa woman found dead on Saturday morning has become the tenth woman discovered in Ekurhuleni in just over two months. Police found her body in Vusimusi Section, Tembisa South, east of Johannesburg.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the discovery but gave few details. She said crime scene experts and other role players were working at the scene, and police would share more information after preliminary investigations.
According to eNCA, the woman was semi naked when police found her at a cemetery. So far, police have not identified her or confirmed how she died.
More importantly, it remains unclear whether her death is linked to the other killings. Police continue to investigate each case separately while they establish possible connections.
Tembisa woman found dead as Ekurhuleni killings continue
The discovery comes just a day after a senior police official visited Ekurhuleni to strengthen the fight against gender based violence in the area. It also follows a wave of killings that has gripped the metro since July.
The first victim, a 37 year old woman, turned up naked and bound with cable ties on 15 July. Since then, police have found the bodies of eight more women across Kempton Park, Boksburg and surrounding areas. Most of the victims were in their 20s and 30s, and some showed signs of sexual assault.
Last week, detectives made the first breakthrough in the investigation. Police arrested one man and two women in connection with the murder of the ninth victim, whose body a passer by found in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on 17 September. The three suspects appeared in the Boksburg Magistrates Court on 21 September.
In addition, police increased their presence in KwaThema, Nigel and Dawn Park after the discoveries. Eight of the first nine victims now have names.
Separately, police found another woman’s body in a dam at Moroka in Soweto on 20 September. However, police have not linked that case to the Ekurhuleni killings, and an inquest is under way.
Meanwhile, anger continues to grow among residents and women’s rights groups, who want faster answers from police. Many women say they no longer feel safe walking alone in parts of the metro.
For now, the Tembisa woman found dead on Saturday adds to a grim toll that has shaken communities across Ekurhuleni.
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