South African police discover body of 10th woman near Johannesburg

Police are investigating the killings in a country with one of the highest femicide rates in the world.South African police have discovered the body of another woman east of the country’s commercial capital, Johannesburg, bringing the total number of female bodies found near the city since mid-July to 10.Police confirmed the discovery in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday but have not provided any further information. The body was found in the morning, according to the daily newspaper, The Sowetan.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3South Africa gender commissioner: women ‘hunted’ amid femicide crisislist 2 of 3‘This is a war’: South Africa battles femicide as women’s bodies pile uplist 3 of 3Fear and anger in South Africa as bodies of nine women found: What we knowend of listThe discovery adds to growing concern over violence against women in a country long plagued by violent crime. While police work to establish whether the killings are connected, there have been community concerns that the murders are being carried out by the same killer or killers.Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said the latest victim appeared to have been stoned to death, and a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the cause of death.“We have put highly capable investigators on this case,” he told reporters at the scene, pledging to find those responsible for the killings.President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the latest discovery while on the campaign trail for upcoming local elections, broadcaster eNCA reported.“I’ve sadly heard about 10th body of a woman found in Thembisa,” Ramaphosa said. “This continues to make us very sad, and in many ways, it’s a shame on the men of South Africa that we continue to kill the women of our beautiful country.”South Africa has one of the highest femicide rates in the world, with an average of 15 women killed per day.