South African police have opened an inquest after the body of an unidentified woman was found wrapped in a duvet and dumped in a dam in Moroka, Soweto, adding to growing concern over a series of killings of women in Gauteng.
The body was discovered on Sunday afternoon. Police said the woman was believed to be in her twenties.
The circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear and investigators have not established whether the case is connected to the deaths of nine women whose bodies were found in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, in recent weeks.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact their nearest police station.
Pressure on authorities
State broadcaster SABC reports the killings have intensified pressure on authorities to identify those responsible and prevent further deaths.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga said the investigations had been given the highest level of attention.
“On priority of law enforcement protection, safety and justice, a multidisciplinary specialized investigation team as the President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that the investigation into these killings must receive the highest level of attention from government and law enforcement agencies,” Chikunga said.
Police last Wednesday announced it was offering a financial reward for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for the killings in Ekurhuleni.
Chikunga also informed the multidisciplinary specialised team established to investigate the cases has been elevated to be coordinated by the Deputy National Commissioner, Detective Services.
The ninth body was recovered on Thursday, heightening public concern. Three of the nine victims have so far been identified.
Authorities have since launched a major operation to find those responsible but have cautioned against assuming the deaths are linked until investigators establish a connection.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the discovery of the women's bodies in the City of Ekurhuleni in less than two months as a national crisis.
