South African police have uncovered the body of an unnamed woman near Johannesburg, bringing the total number of female bodies discovered in the area since mid-July to eleven. The latest victim was found on Sunday by a security company patrol in Ekurhuleni municipality. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili reported that details about the identity and cause of death are not yet known. Authorities have arrested four individuals so far, with one arrest made nearly 400km away from the discovery site. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the situation during a local election campaign, expressing sadness over the violence against women in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest femicide rates, averaging fifteen women killed daily.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
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 discovered the body of the 12th woman near Johannesburg on Monday, October 24, 2026, adding to a series of killings that began in mid-July. The latest victim’s remains were found in Ekurhuleni municipality, east of Johannesburg. This brings the total number of female bodies discovered since July to 12, causing widespread alarm and fear among residents.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced new measures aimed at combating gender-based violence following these killings. These include a safety audit within 60 days across the country to identify dangerous areas such as places with broken streetlights, abandoned buildings, and poorly secured parks. Police have made three arrests in connection with the murders, but none appear related to each other.
While police believe there may be no single serial killer responsible, residents fear otherwise due to the close proximity of the killings. South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence globally, highlighting ongoing concerns about women’s safety.
Written for “South Africa Women Killings Investiga…” 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 11.
asserted
police → discover → 11
Police said on Sunday that the latest victim was found in an open field in the Ekurhuleni municipality at about midday local time (10am GMT).
asserted
victim → say → midday
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“A security company vehicle patrolling the area noticed the body and alerted the police,” police spokeswoman Brigadier Brenda Muridili said.
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Muridili → hunt → police
Just one day earlier, on Saturday, the body of a semi-naked woman was found near a cemetery in the same municipality.
asserted
body → find → municipality
The latest discoveries add to growing concern over violence against women in a country long plagued by violent crime.
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discoveries → 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 victim found on Saturday appeared to have been stoned to death, but a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the cause of death.
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examination → say → death
Police said a man linked to the killing was arrested almost 400km (250 miles) away.
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man → say → killing
His arrest brings the number of people in custody in connection with the series of killings to four.
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arrest → bring → four
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the recovery of the body of the 10th victim 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 on Saturday.
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Ramaphosa → hear → Saturday
“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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average → have → day
Two women have been charged with the murder of the woman whose body was the ninth discovered on September 17.
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body → charge → September
Police have said the killing may have stemmed from a relationship-related matter.
uncertain
killing → say → matter
Mthombeni, the provincial police chief, 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 6km (4 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 naked.
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Several → find → them
The first body, discovered in mid-July, was found naked and restrained with cable ties.
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body → discover → ties
The victim’s boyfriend was subsequently arrested, but no charges were filed.
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charges → arrest → ?
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