The discovery of nine murdered women in South Africa's Ekurhuleni region since July has intensified national concerns over the scale of violence against women. Three bodies were found in Ekurhuleni this week alone, including that of 38-year-old mother-of-two Dineo Motapane, whose battered and partly burned body was found after she was last seen alive last Sunday.
Another victim, 32-year-old shopkeeper Itumeleng Kekana, was found in July, 17 days after her disappearance. Her body was badly bruised, partially clothed, and dumped on a bridge. Most of the victims were young, in their 20s or 30s, and almost all had suffered extreme violence.
Police have stated they are not certain if they are pursuing a serial killer, noting that the cases may not be linked. Only one arrest has been made in connection with the murders, which occurred two days after the first body was discovered on 15 July. No arrests have been made in the deaths of Itumeleng, Dineo, or the other six women.
The incidents have put pressure on the South African government, which declared gender-based violence a national disaster last November. This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to investigate the crimes in Ekurhuleni thoroughly.