Nine women in two months. The latest was found wrapped in a sheet at the side of a road. Communities east of Johannesburg are asking what is going on.

Police have confirmed the discovery of a ninth woman’s body, via cbinews.TV, found half naked and wrapped in a sheet in Dawn Park on Thursday morning. Her identity has not yet been released.

This follows eight other deaths since July across Ekurhuleni, the large urban area that includes Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema. Several victims were found partly clothed with injuries.

Among those identified are Elizabeth Tsontso Moselakgomo, 38, who vanished after an afternoon run and was found behind a hotel in Kempton Park; Itumeleng Kekana, missing since July; and Dineo Evelyn Motapane, 38, found in KwaThema on Tuesday.

The first body was found on 15th July. One suspect was arrested in that case and remains in custody, but police have not linked him to the other deaths.

Resident Bongeka Sebela told reporters, “We are scared to come out of our houses. We are scared to go to the shops. We are no longer free in a country where we are supposed to be safe as women”.

South Africa already has one of the highest rates of gender based violence in the world. UN Women says the rate at which women are killed is five times the global average. Last November, the country declared violence against women a national disaster after countrywide protests.

Authorities have offered a reward of 400000 rand for information leading to arrests. They are asking families with missing relatives to help identify victims and urging women to avoid walking alone, avoid isolated routes, stay alert around strangers and vehicles, share location with someone trusted and keep earphone volume low.

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