Nine women are found dead near Johannesburg - sparking fears serial killer is on the loose

Nine women have been found dead near Johannesburg in just two months, sparking fears a serial killer could be on the loose.South African police said on Thursday that a ninth woman's body had been discovered in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg.All nine bodies have been found in the municipality over the past two months, with police investigating whether the deaths are linked.Officers previously said similarities between the first eight killings were 'sufficiently concerning' enough to issue a public warning.The discoveries have sparked a major investigation and renewed concern over femicide and violent crime in South Africa.Police said the discovery of the latest body early on Thursday 'will be added to the investigations into the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni'. Police warned against circulating photos of the bodies on social media. Provincial police commissioner Fred Kekana said a passerby found the woman's body near a construction site and alerted police.The unidentified woman appeared to be about 30 and had an apparent stab wound to her side, while her throat appeared to have been cut, he said. Forensic investigators had not yet determined the official cause of death.Mr Kekana said police had not established whether her death was linked to the other cases and appealed for information. Local residents stand at the scene where the body of one of the women was found dumped on the side of a road in Boksburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday Members of the South African Police Service investigate at the scene where the body of one of the women was found dumped on the side of a road in Boksburg He also urged people not to circulate photographs of the bodies or unverified reports on social media, warning that they were spreading fear and could encourage copycat crimes.Residents of Dawn Park, the Johannesburg suburb where the ninth body was found on Thursday, were stunned by the discovery.'I hope the government can assist us by arresting the person or people who have been committing these killings, because the current situation is becoming unbearable. We don't know what's to happen next,' said Nomgqibelo Tshabalala, a Dawn Park resident.A multidisciplinary team of experts is investigating. Families should report any missing relatives immediately. So far, bodies have been found across several Ekurhuleni communities, including Kempton Park, Pomona, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Rhodesfield, KwaThema and Dawn Park.Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng province, said police were making progress in two or three cases, although he did not provide details. He urged the public to give investigators time to gather sufficient evidence.'They've declared war against the state. We'll respond,' Mr Lesufi told reporters at the scene. 'We're not going to surrender.'Missing In Southern Africa, which supports missing people and their families, urged communities and families to report immediately when they suspected that one of their relatives might be missing.The organisation said the discoveries had deepened the anguish of families searching for loved ones.'There is no waiting period to report a missing person,' it said. 'The moment you suspect that someone is missing, report it immediately to the South African Police Service.'Community groups and faith leaders demand action to protect women and children.Running clubs across Johannesburg have this week organised memorial runs in honour of Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo, the woman who disappeared last week while jogging and was found dead several days later.Some communities across Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, have held prayer services for the victims.Women's rights advocates, political parties and civil society organisations marched to Kempton Park Police Station on Thursday, demanding stronger measures to protect women and children and hold perpetrators accountable.A coalition representing more than 1,000 faith leaders, activists and partner organisations called for tougher action against gender-based violence and more accountability. They urged those at the top of religious hierarchies to address the issue openly and help survivors obtain shelter, counselling and legal assistance.'Too often, silence from the pulpit has stood in for the courage to name gender-based violence directly,' it said. 'That silence must end.'