Gauteng police have confirmed that a woman’s body discovered in Tembisa earlier this month is the seventh victim in a string of murders under investigation in Ekurhuleni. 

The victim, believed to be in her 20s, was found in a river in Clayville near Mall of Tembisa on September 7.  

During a media briefing in Kwa-Thema, acting Gauteng provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana told media that the body will be included in the investigation as the seventh victim.

He said she was unclothed but had her underwear on.  

According to the Kempton Express, Kekana added that the woman had no visible injuries and investigators were working to establish whether her death was connected to the other cases.

The latest development comes hours after police found another woman in Kwa-Thema today. 

Police acknowledge public outrage 

In a statement, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety urged the public to allow the investigation process to take its course after the seventh body was found. 

The department said it acknowledged the public outrage and understood the shock, anger and fear that the murders have caused, particularly regarding women.

It reassured the public that a multidisciplinary team involving law enforcement and other departments is deploying the necessary resources to ensure those responsible are caught.

The department added that officials are engaging with the affected families to provide assistance and support. 

Other five victims 

• The first woman, 37, was found near the R21 on July 15. She was unclothed and restrained with cable ties. Her boyfriend was arrested and remains in custody. 

• On August 24, the partially clothed body of a 32-year-old woman was found, also near the R21. 

• Another woman’s unclothed and badly decomposed body was discovered on September 10. 

• Runner Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo’s body was found on September 12, after she failed to return home from a run after work. 

• Yesterday (September 15), the body of another woman was found in a veld at Olifantsfontein. 

The bodies have been discovered in open areas, including roadsides, veld and behind buildings, reports The Witness.  

Most of the women were partially clothed and bruised, while police confirmed yesterday that four of the victims had been sexually assaulted.

Police have also not confirmed whether they suspect a serial killer is behind the deaths. 

High-level briefing scheduled

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a high-level delegation, including the minister of police, the minister of women, youth and persons with disabilities, the Gauteng premier and the national police commissioner, will meet this evening to be briefed on the latest developments.

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