South African police found the body of a tenth woman near Johannesburg on Saturday, increasing concerns about violence against women in the country. All ten bodies have been discovered east of Johannesburg since mid-July; nine of these victims were between 20 and 30 years old. Police suspect some murders may be connected but lack conclusive evidence. President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the latest incident, expressing sadness over the ongoing femicide crisis in South Africa.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-26,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
South African police found the 10th woman's body near Johannesburg on September 26, 2026, increasing concerns about violence against women in the country. The discovery occurred in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, and brings the total number of female victims to ten over two months. Police believe some killings may be connected but have not confirmed a serial killer is responsible. Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said the latest victim appeared to have been stoned to death. The nine previous victims were mostly in their 20s and 30s, with some showing signs of sexual assault. This incident has heightened national outrage over gender-based violence in South Africa, which already has one of the highest rates globally.
Written for “Serial Killings In South Africa” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 5 other(s) covering the same event.
South African police have discovered the body of another woman east of the country’s commercial capital, Johannesburg, bringing the total number of female bodies found near the city since mid-July to 10.
asserted
police → discover → 10
Police confirmed the discovery in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday but have not provided any further information.
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Police → confirm → information
The body was found in the morning, according to the daily newspaper, The Sowetan.
uncertain
body → find → newspaper
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bodies → hunt → women
What we know
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we → know → What
The discovery adds to growing concern over violence against women in a country long plagued by violent crime.
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discovery → add → crime
While police work to establish whether the killings are connected, there have been community concerns that the murders are being carried out by the same killer or killers.
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murders → work → killer
Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said the latest victim appeared to have been stoned to death, and a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the cause of death.
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examination → say → death
“We have put highly capable investigators on this case,” he told reporters at the scene, pledging to find those responsible for the killings.
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he → put → killings
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the latest discovery while on the campaign trail for upcoming local elections, broadcaster eNCA reported.
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eNCA → acknowledge → elections
“I’ve sadly heard about 10th body of a woman found in Thembisa,” Ramaphosa said.
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Ramaphosa → hear → Thembisa
“This continues to make us very sad, and in many ways, it’s a shame on the men of South Africa that we continue to kill the women of our beautiful country.”
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we → continue → country
South Africa has one of the highest femicide rates in the world, with an average of 15 women killed per day.
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Africa → have → day
Two women have been charged with the murder of the woman whose body was the ninth discovered, last week.
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body → charge → woman
Police have said that the killing may have stemmed from a relationship-related matter.
uncertain
killing → say → matter
Mthombeni told state broadcaster SABC that investigators believe the ninth killing was an isolated case.
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killing → tell → SABC
However, he said it is possible some of the other killings are connected.
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some → say → killings
He added that some of the murders shared similarities, but cautioned that there is no conclusive evidence to suggest the same person or group is responsible.
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person → add → similarities
Police discovered three bodies in July and August within six kilometres (four miles) of one another in Ekurhuleni.
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Police → discover → Ekurhuleni
Earlier this month, six bodies were found in 10 days, also in Ekurhuleni.
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bodies → find → Ekurhuleni
Several of them were found completely or partially nude.
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Several → find → them
Police have not yet confirmed the age of the 10th woman or whether she was clothed.
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she → confirm → woman
The first body, discovered in mid-July, was found naked.
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body → discover → July
The deceased had been restrained with cable ties.
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deceased → restrain → ties
Her boyfriend was subsequently arrested, but no charges were filed.
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charges → arrest → ?
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