Tenth woman found dead in Ekurhuleni as police investigate possible links

South African police are investigating whether the death of a woman found at a cemetery in Ekurhuleni is connected to a series of killings east of Johannesburg. Her discovery on Saturday brought the number of women found dead in the area in recent months to 10.

The latest victim was found at a cemetery in Tembisa. Officials had not publicly identified her, but a friend who had been with her at a bar the previous evening told national broadcaster SABC that she recognized the woman’s clothes in a photograph of the body.

Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni said it was too early to determine whether the latest death was linked to the others or whether a serial killer was responsible. He said investigators had identified similarities in the victims and the methods used in previous killings, but had not reached a definitive conclusion.

Most of the other bodies have been discovered in nearby Kempton Park since July. Many of the victims were young women, and almost all had suffered extreme violence before their deaths, according to the BBC.

Three men appeared in court earlier in the week accused of involvement in one of the nine earlier killings. Police said they were seeking other people who may have been involved. The deaths have prompted renewed public concern about violence against women in South Africa.