South Africa Investigates Deaths of Seven Women Near Johannesburg.

South African police have launched an intensified investigation after the bodies of seven women were discovered in and around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, over the past two months, raising fears that a serial killer could be operating in the area. Reuters and the Associated Press both reported the development on September 15.

The latest discovery was made on Tuesday in the Kwa-Thema area, where police found the body of a woman who was naked and in an advanced state of decomposition. Another woman was found dead in Olifantsontein on Monday, while the body of 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo was discovered over the weekend after she went missing while jogging.

Police Investigate Possible Links.

Authorities have not confirmed that a single person is responsible for the deaths. However, police say the similarities between the cases are sufficiently concerning to warrant an intensified investigation and a public warning to women in the affected areas.

Some of the victims were found naked or partially clothed and showed signs of sexual violence. Police are investigating whether the deaths were carried out by one perpetrator, several perpetrators or potentially copycat criminals. A motive has not yet been established.

The South African Police Service has urged women to exercise caution, particularly when jogging or engaging in outdoor activities alone in the affected areas.

Ramaphosa Demands Urgent Action.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed law-enforcement authorities to prioritize the investigations and has promised that those responsible will be brought to justice.

The cases have generated widespread concern among civil society organizations and sporting bodies, particularly because one of the victims disappeared while out for a run. The Commission for Gender Equality has called for urgent safety audits in the affected communities, including assessments of lighting, surveillance, public transport routes and police visibility.

A Wider Crisis of Violence Against Women.

The investigation comes against the backdrop of South Africa’s persistent struggle with violent crime and violence against women. The country’s latest crime statistics recorded 5,427 murders between April and July, an average of roughly 45 murders per day.

The latest deaths have therefore become more than an isolated criminal investigation. They have renewed national concerns about women’s safety and whether existing measures are sufficient to protect women in public spaces.

For now, police have stopped short of calling the deaths the work of a serial killer. Investigators are gathering evidence and appealing to members of the public who may have information about the victims or circumstances surrounding their deaths.