Twelve women’s bodies found east of Johannesburg as police investigate possible links

South African police have confirmed that 12 women’s bodies were found in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, between July 15 and late September, after three more were discovered between Saturday and Monday.

The findings have caused alarm, particularly around Kempton Park. Several victims were found partially or fully unclothed, and some had bruises or other signs of violence. Police have made arrests in three cases, which they currently believe are unrelated to the other deaths. They have not established that one person or group was responsible, but say they cannot rule out links among some of the killings or the possibility of a serial killer.

One victim found near a cemetery on Saturday appeared to have been stoned, provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said, pending a post-mortem examination. A man linked to that killing was arrested nearly 400km away. Two women have also been charged over the killing of the ninth victim, which investigators believe may have arisen from a relationship dispute.

President Cyril Ramaphosa called the deaths a “stain on our national conscience” and announced several measures addressing violence against women. Police are to review unsolved murders, attempted murders and serious sexual offences involving women and children within 60 days. The government will also develop a funded plan to reduce forensic backlogs, while municipalities have five months to address hazards including broken streetlights, overgrown public spaces and abandoned buildings.