South Africa Police Find 11th Woman’s Body Near Johannesburg Amid Femicide Crisis
South African police recovered the body of an 11th woman in an open field within the Ekurhuleni municipality east of Johannesburg on Sunday, September 28, 2026. The grim find deepens a national crisis surrounding high rates of gender-based violence and femicide as investigators work to determine whether the killings are connected.
Grim Discovery in Ekurhuleni
The latest discovery occurred at approximately midday local time, according to police spokeswoman Brigadier Brenda Muridili. A security vehicle patrolling the Ekurhuleni area noticed the remains and alerted authorities. Specific details regarding the victim’s identity, age, and exact cause of death were not immediately available.
A Rapidly Escalating Body Count
This discovery follows closely behind the finding of a semi-naked woman’s body near a cemetery in the same municipality on Saturday, September 27, 2026. Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni stated that the victim found near the cemetery appeared to have been stoned to death, though an official post-mortem examination is pending to confirm the cause.
The sequence of discoveries began in mid-July, when three bodies were found within a 6km (4-mile) radius in Ekurhuleni. The pace accelerated earlier in September, with six bodies recovered over a ten-day period in the same municipality.
Prior to the weekend discoveries, all victims identified in the series were in their 20s or 30s, and several were found completely or partially naked. The first victim, discovered in July, was found naked and restrained with cable ties.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have taken four individuals into custody in connection with the various killings. Police arrested a man linked to the Saturday killing approximately 400km (250 miles) away from the scene.
Meanwhile, two women have been charged with the murder of another victim whose body was found on September 17, an incident investigators believe may have stemmed from a relationship-related dispute and remained an isolated case.
While police continue to investigate whether multiple homicides in the series are connected, provincial authorities have noted that several of the murders share distinct similarities. However, officials caution that there is currently no conclusive evidence proving a single suspect or group is responsible for all eleven deaths.
National Condemnation and Public Fear
The mounting death toll has drawn sharp condemnation from national leadership. President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the situation while campaigning for upcoming local elections, acknowledging the recovery of the tenth victim in Thembisa.
South Africa maintains one of the highest femicide rates globally, recording an average of 15 women killed per day. Local community members have expressed mounting anxiety over the safety of women in the region, urging heightened police vigilance and coordinated protective measures from municipal authorities.