Tenth Body Found in Tembisa as South Africa Investigates Possible Serial Femicide

Key points

• The tenth body was found in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, bringing the total number of female victims found in the area since July to ten.
• Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni stated that while similarities exist in the 'victimology' and 'modus operandi,' it is too early to confirm a serial killer, though he cannot rule it out.
• The victim was identified by a friend who recognized her clothes from the previous evening; the friend expressed grief for the victim's children.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa commented on the discovery during a campaign stop, calling the ongoing violence a 'shame on the men of South Africa.'
• Two women were recently charged with murder in connection with the ninth victim, but police consider that specific case an isolated incident unrelated to the broader pattern.
• South Africa faces high rates of gender-based violence, with 569 women killed and 1,052 surviving attempted murder between April and June 2026, according to the South African Human Rights Commission.

Background

This development follows a string of nine female deaths in the Ekurhuleni area over the past two months, which previously sparked national outcry and led to a R400,000 reward for information. Earlier investigations had noted that bodies were found in neighborhoods including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, and KwaThema, with authorities warning of potential multiple perpetrators. The current case adds to a broader crisis of gender-based violence in South Africa, which was declared a national disaster by ministers less than a year ago.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and Al Jazeera both report the discovery of the tenth body in Tembisa but differ on specific details of the cause of death; Al Jazeera cites police saying the victim appeared to have been stoned, while BBC focuses on the identification process by a friend. CBS News emphasizes the statistical context of femicide, noting that three women are killed daily by intimate partners, whereas BBC highlights the emotional impact on the victim's friend. All three outlets agree that police have not conclusively linked the cases to a single serial killer, despite noting similarities in the circumstances of the deaths. Al Jazeera and CBS both mention that the ninth victim's case involved two female suspects and is considered isolated, distinguishing it from the other nine deaths.

Why it matters

The discovery of the tenth body intensifies fears of a serial killer in South Africa and highlights the country's severe gender-based violence crisis. It places increased pressure on the government to address femicide, which has been declared a national disaster, and underscores the urgent need for effective law enforcement and community safety measures in the Johannesburg region.

What to watch

Police will conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death for the tenth victim. Investigators, including the Investigative Psychology Unit, will continue to analyze similarities across the cases to determine if they are linked. Authorities are expected to release more details on the victim's identity and the circumstances of her death as the investigation progresses.