By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

South African police have recovered the body of another woman in the east of Johannesburg, bringing the number of women found dead in the wider area to nine as investigations continue into a series of disturbing deaths.

The latest discovery was made on Thursday in Dawn Park, where police found a woman’s body by the roadside. Authorities are yet to establish whether her death is connected to the other cases.

Deputy Police Chief Tebello Mosikili told journalists that investigators were working to determine whether the latest incident was part of the same series or the work of a copycat

Police have increased security measures in parts of Kempton Park in the Ekurhuleni municipality, including roadblocks, following the discovery of three partially naked bodies in the area this week.

Authorities have announced a 400,000-rand reward, equivalent to about $25,000, for information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible. South Africa’s Democratic Alliance has also offered an additional $31,000 reward.

The developments have prompted the Nigerian Consulate-General in Johannesburg to issue a safety advisory to Nigerians living, working or regularly travelling through the affected areas.

In an advisory dated September 16, the consulate said eight women had been reported dead over a period of about two months in and around Ekurhuleni.

The mission said a multidisciplinary team involving specialised law-enforcement units had been deployed to investigate the deaths. Investigators had also identified similarities in some of the cases and were examining whether they were connected.

However, the consulate stressed that the South African Police Service had not established that a single person was responsible for the deaths or confirmed that the incidents were linked to a serial killer.

One of the victims was identified as 38-year-old Elizabeth Moselakgomo. She reportedly left home to go jogging and did not return. Her body was later found on September 12 behind a hotel.

Her disappearance generated widespread concern after fellow runners launched a social media campaign to help locate her. The search also drew attention to previous cases and the discovery of additional bodies.

Police said the first victim, a 37-year-old woman, was found naked and bound with cable ties on July 15. A suspect was arrested two days later and appeared in court on Wednesday. Mosikili said the suspect was a foreign national but did not disclose his nationality.

Another woman, aged 32, was found partially clothed on August 24, while a further victim was discovered naked and in an advanced state of decomposition on September 10.

The Nigerian consulate has urged Nigerians, particularly women and girls in Kempton Park, Rhodesfield and surrounding parts of Ekurhuleni, to remain vigilant.

It advised residents to avoid walking, jogging or exercising alone in isolated, poorly lit or unfamiliar locations. Nigerians were also encouraged to move around in groups where possible and to vary their routes and times.

The mission further advised residents to stay aware of their surroundings and limit the use of headphones or mobile phones when travelling through areas with poor visibility or little pedestrian activity.

Nigerians were also encouraged to tell trusted relatives or friends where they were going, the route they planned to take and their expected time of return.

The consulate cautioned members of the public against sharing unverified photographs, names, videos, voice notes or allegations about suspected perpetrators on social media. It said such actions could interfere with investigations and potentially harm innocent people.

The mission said the advisory was not intended to cause panic or restrict the lawful movement of Nigerians, but to help community members take reasonable precautions while investigations continue.

It also stressed that safety measures should not shift responsibility for preventing violence onto women, noting that effective policing, investigation and accountability remain essential.

The consulate said the wider crime situation in Gauteng was also a concern. It cited South African Police Service statistics showing that the province recorded 1,223 murders, 2,369 sexual offences and 39,094 contact crimes against persons between January and March 2026.

However, it noted that the figures did not establish a link between those crimes and the deaths currently under investigation.

The mission expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed to anyone with credible information to provide it directly to the South African Police Service rather than circulating claims online.