South African police have recovered the body of a ninth woman in the Ekurhuleni area east of Johannesburg, as concern grows over a series of unexplained deaths.
The latest discovery was made by the roadside in Dawn Park, prompting police to intensify security operations in and around Kempton Park.
Police have imposed a lockdown in parts of Kempton Park and set up roadblocks following the discovery of three partially naked bodies this week.
“We cannot continue picking up bodies,” Deputy Police Chief Tebello Mosikili told journalists in Dawn Park.
Police have offered a 400,000 rand ($25,000) reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers. South Africa’s Democratic Alliance has also offered an additional $31,000.
Mr Mosikili said investigators were yet to establish whether the latest death was connected to the earlier cases or involved a copycat.
The Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg has issued a safety advisory to Nigerians living, working, studying or regularly travelling through Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding areas.
The consulate said eight women had died in and around Ekurhuleni over about two months before the latest discovery.
A multidisciplinary investigation team involving specialised law-enforcement agencies has been deployed to investigate the deaths.
The mission said investigators had identified “concerning similarities” in some of the cases and were examining possible links.
However, it stressed that South African Police Service (SAPS) had not established that the deaths were committed by one person or confirmed that a serial killer was responsible.
The ninth body therefore increases the number of deaths under investigation, although police have not confirmed that all the cases are connected.
One of the victims, 38-year-old Elizabeth Moselakgomo, reportedly left her eight-year-old daughter at home to go jogging but never returned. Her body was later found behind a hotel.
Her disappearance attracted widespread attention after fellow runners launched a social media campaign to help locate her.
The first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found naked and bound with cable ties about two months ago. Police arrested a suspect two days later, and he appeared in court.
Mr Mosikili said the suspect was a foreign national but did not disclose his nationality.
Another 32-year-old woman was found partially clothed last month, while another woman was discovered naked and in an advanced state of decomposition this month.
The Nigerian mission urged residents, particularly women and girls, to avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated, poorly lit or unfamiliar areas.
It advised Nigerians to travel or exercise in groups where possible, vary their routes and times, remain alert and avoid prolonged use of headphones or mobile phones in areas with limited visibility.
The consulate also advised residents to inform family members or trusted people of their destinations, routes and expected return times.
It warned against sharing unverified photographs, names, videos, voice notes or allegations identifying suspected perpetrators or linking unrelated incidents.
The mission said such information could prejudice investigations and harm innocent people.
It stressed that the advisory was not intended to cause panic or restrict Nigerians’ lawful movement, but to encourage reasonable precautions while investigations continue.
The consulate also said safety measures should not shift responsibility for preventing violence onto women, describing effective policing, investigation and accountability as essential.
It expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged anyone with credible information to report directly to the SAPS rather than spreading allegations online.
The mission said it would continue to monitor developments and liaise with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria and South African authorities.
For Nigerians directly affected by a serious incident, the consulate provided the community line +27627642412 and email cgijhb@nigerianconsulatesa.org.
Earlier killings of Nigerians
The latest development comes amid separate concerns over the killings of two Nigerian nationals in South Africa, Bishop Michael Fakunle and James Nwankwo.
When contacted about the matter, Nigeria’s Consul-General in South Africa, Prof Bobby Moroe, declined to comment pending the conclusion of investigations.
“Greetings, I cannot comment until the investigations are concluded,” he said.
