South African police have discovered the body of a ninth woman near Johannesburg, which may be connected to a series of killings currently under investigation. The bodies of all nine victims were found within the Ekurhuleni municipality over the past two months, raising concerns that they were the work of the same individual or group. Police have noted that the first eight killings shared enough similarities to prompt a public warning, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The cases have triggered a high-level investigation and underscore the ongoing issue of femicide and violent crime in the region. Provincial police commissioner Fred Kekana stated that a passerby found the latest body near a construction site and notified the police. The woman, estimated to be around 30 years old, had a visible stab wound to her side and a cut to her throat. Forensic experts had not yet determined the official cause of death. Kekana emphasized that it was not yet clear if this death was connected to the others and urged the public to provide any information they might have. He also asked people to avoid sharing photos or unverified reports of the bodies online, warning that such content could spread fear and potentially inspire copycat crimes. A specialized team of experts has been assigned to investigate the cases and identify those responsible. The bodies have been found in several communities within Ekurhuleni, including Kempton Park, Pomona, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Rhodesfield, KwaThema, and Dawn Park. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said police were following leads and making progress in two or three cases, though he did not provide further details. He encouraged the public to give investigators time to collect enough evidence, stating, "They’ve declared war against the state. We’ll respond. We’re not going to surrender." Missing In Southern Africa, an organization that supports families of missing individuals, urged communities to report any suspicions of unusual activity immediately. The group said the recent discoveries had added to the distress of families searching for loved ones and emphasized that there is no waiting period for reporting a missing person. "The moment you suspect that someone is missing, report it immediately to the South African Police Service," the organization stated. Meanwhile, some reports indicate that police have imposed a lockdown in Kempton Park, and deputy police chief Tebello Mosikili warned in Dawn Park that they "cannot continue picking up bodies," highlighting the growing urgency of the situation.