Fear is growing among women in South Africa’s Ekurhuleni municipality after the body of another unidentified woman was found near a railway line in Springs, bringing to 11 the number of women’s bodies discovered in the area in less than two months.
The body was found on Sunday in an open veld in Struisbult, Springs, after it was spotted by security personnel patrolling the area.
“A security company vehicle patrolling the area noticed the body and alerted the police,” police said in a statement.
The latest discovery comes a day after the body of Ntombifuthu Nxumalo was found at Mooifontein Cemetery in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.
String of killings
The discoveries have heightened fears among women and residents as police investigate a series of deaths across the metropolitan area.
One other woman’s body was found in Soweto last week, taking the total number of bodies discovered in Gauteng during the period to 12.
South African police say a dedicated task team has been established to investigate the deaths but have yet to determine whether the cases are linked.
In a separate development, police in Bolobedu, outside Tzaneen in Limpopo, arrested a man on Saturday in connection with the victim found in a cemetery. Police believe she may have been stoned to death.
Gender-based violence
Nxumalo is among several women whose bodies have been found in Gauteng over the past two months amid investigations into suspected gender-based violence.
Meanwhile, Springs residents say the latest discovery had left women increasingly fearful.
“I’m worried because I work until late. We no longer feel safe when the situation is like this. We are pleading with government to ensure that when the perpetrator is found,” Springs resident Cebile Nthsangase tells SABC News.
The deaths have also prompted community groups and organisations in other parts of the country to intensify campaigns against gender-based violence and femicide.
In the Free State, various organisations on Saturday mobilised more than 200 men, including bikers, who protested against gender-based violence and femicide.
