Authorities and political leaders call for increased police patrols after a fifth woman was found dead in the metro.

The discovery of a fifth woman’s body in the Ekurhuleni area has prompted renewed calls for public assistance and increased police visibility while authorities investigate the series of deaths.

The latest body was discovered in Clayville Ext 26, Olifantsfontein, on September 14, partially naked beside a road.

The discovery follows the deaths of four other women whose bodies were found in and around Kempton Park over the past two months.

Also read: Fifth woman found dead in growing string of cases

Police have said there are similarities between some of the cases and have established a multidisciplinary task team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and determine whether they are connected.

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has urged anyone with information that could assist investigators to come forward without delay.

The committee condemned the killings and urged residents who may have witnessed suspicious activity or encountered any of the victims or suspects to contact police.

It also urged communities, particularly women, to remain vigilant and report suspicious people, vehicles or activities to police.

Also read: Family confirms fourth victim found in Kempton Park is Elizabeth

The committee cautioned residents against speculation that could compromise investigations or cause unnecessary panic.

The City of Ekurhuleni has also expressed concern over the deaths, with Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza describing the circumstances as deeply disturbing.

“Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of the women whose lives have been lost,” Xhakaza said.

“We recognise that behind every case file is a mother, daughter, sister, friend, colleague, or member of a community whose life mattered.”

He said the deaths had understandably caused fear and anxiety among residents, particularly women who live, work, walk, run and exercise in and around Kempton Park and Rhodesfield.

“No woman or anyone else should have to calculate the risk of being targeted simply because she is exercising, walking alone or going about her daily life,” he said.

Also read: SAPS probes links between four bodies found in Kempton Park

Xhakaza said the city’s immediate priorities include increased police visibility and patrols, targeted deployments, heightened surveillance and closer cooperation between law enforcement agencies, private security companies and community safety structures.

“Your freedom matters, your safety matters and your right to occupy public spaces is your basic right. Women should not have to surrender their freedom because of the actions of predators,” he said.

The DA has also criticised an over-reliance on calls for women to take precautions.

DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane MPL rejected messages urging women to simply ‘take precautions’ while the killings continue.

Rasilingwane, who said she comes from Olifantsfontein where the latest body was discovered, welcomed the establishment of the multidisciplinary task team but called for additional policing resources on the ground, saying Ekurhuleni needs police boots on the ground now.

Rasilingwane called on the SAPS to deploy additional resources to Kempton Park, increase visible and targeted patrols and strengthen its visibility policing. Authorities and community leaders have urged residents not to draw conclusions before investigators have established the facts.