Number of women found dead in Ekurhuleni rises to 12

The body of a murdered woman has been found in Ekurhuleni, South Africa — the tenth such discovery in the municipality in two months, ANP/AFP reported. Police are investigating whether the deaths are connected and whether a serial killer is involved. [1]

Local media cited by the news agencies said the latest victim was found partly unclothed at a cemetery in Tembisa, east of Johannesburg. Police had not confirmed those details. The previous nine victims were in their twenties or thirties; some had been found partly or fully unclothed and showed signs of sexual violence. [1]

Three suspects have been arrested: one two days after the first body was found, and two women after the ninth killing. Police said the ninth case might have involved a relationship-related matter. [1]

Update

South African police say the number of women found dead in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, since July has risen to 12. An unidentified woman whose body was found in Springs on Sunday was the 11th case in the count. [2]

The 12th was Boitumelo Gift Mashita, 23, who was shot dead in Tembisa on Monday while travelling to work. Her belongings were taken. Police suspect her estranged husband was responsible; he was later found dead in his vehicle in Midrand. Officers have found no link between her death and the other Ekurhuleni cases. [2]