JUST IN: Ninth woman’s body found in Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni

Police have found a ninth woman’s body in Ekurhuleni, adding fresh urgency to the investigation into a string of women’s deaths across the metro.

Officers discovered the latest victim in Dawn Park on Thursday morning.

Gauteng acting provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana said preliminary information suggests someone dumped the woman’s body at the scene.

Police have not yet released her identity, age or cause of death.

BODY FOUND IN DAWN PARK

The discovery comes as detectives investigate the deaths of eight other women found across parts of Ekurhuleni in recent weeks.

Police have recovered bodies in areas including Kempton Park, Rhodesfield, Pomona, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema.

Investigators will now examine the Dawn Park case to determine the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death and whether evidence connects it to any of the other cases.

SAPS has not confirmed that one offender killed the women.

THREE VICTIMS IDENTIFIED

Families have publicly identified three women linked to the wider investigation.

They include Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, 38, who disappeared after leaving her Kempton Park home for a run.

Police also identified Itumeleng Kekana, 32, who disappeared in July, and Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38.

Motapane’s family identified her at the Springs Mortuary on Wednesday after police found her body in KwaThema.

R400 000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION

Police have offered a R400 000 reward for information that could help investigators identify and arrest those responsible for the women’s deaths.

SAPS has urged anyone with information to come forward as detectives work to piece together the cases.

A multidisciplinary team of detectives, forensic experts, crime intelligence officers and specialised investigators continues to examine possible links between the deaths.

Police have repeatedly cautioned against declaring the cases the work of a serial killer before forensic and investigative evidence establishes a connection.

The discovery in Dawn Park brings another case into focus as pressure mounts on police to find those responsible.