Deaths of nine women in South Africa could be 'linked to serial killer', police say

The bodies of nine women have been found in South Africa in just two months - sparking a major police investigation into whether the deaths are linked.

The discoveries, all in an area north of Johannesburg, have sent shock waves through the country, and highlighted the high rate of femicide in South Africa.

All of the victims have been women aged between 20 and 38 and were found either naked or partially clothed with bruises on their bodies, South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

Police previously said some similarities in the killings of the first eight victims were "sufficiently concerning for the police to issue a public warning".

On Thursday, investigators announced a ninth body had been discovered in the same Ekurhuleni area.

Detectives said the discovery of the latest body "will be added to the investigations into the deaths of women".

The unidentified woman, who appeared to be about 30, was found near a construction site by a passer-by and had an apparent stab wound to her side, while her throat appeared to have been cut, police said.

Fred Kekana, the Gauteng provincial commissioner, said police are examining whether the cases are connected, but warned against prematurely attributing the deaths as the work of one perpetrator or a serial killer.

"Investigators are considering all possibilities, including the possibility of multiple suspects or separate perpetrators," he said.

"Police are comparing the evidence, timelines, locations, victim profiles and circumstances of each case before reaching conclusions."

He added that the similarities in the deaths and the proximity was a cause for concern.

"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," Mr Kekana said.

One of the earlier victims has been identified as 38-year-old runner Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who went missing last week.

She was reported missing after her 8-year-old daughter alerted family members that she had not returned from her daily afternoon run. Ms Moselakgomo was found dead several days later.

Some of the bodies discovered more recently were in Olifantsfontein and Kwa-Thema areas, about 15 miles (25km) and 21 miles (34km) from Kempton Park, where the first five bodies were discovered.

A body that was recovered in Olifantsfontein on Tuesday was found naked and in an advanced stage of decomposition, police said.

The first body was found naked and restrained with cable ties on 17 July.

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A suspect believed to be the victim's boyfriend was arrested and remains in custody, police said.

The deaths have highlighted high rates of violent crimes in South Africa and sparked an outcry over the safety of women.

Femicide figures in South Africa are among the highest in the world, according to the United Nations' agency for gender equality.

Between April and July this year, the country recorded 5,427 murders, on average about 45 murders per day, according to the latest crime statistics.

A study in 2022 by a South African thinktank found that more than 35% of South African adult women had experienced physical or sexual violence at one time.

Police offered a cash reward for any information related to the murders.

(c) Sky News 2026: Deaths of nine women in South Africa could be 'linked to serial killer', police say