Police in South Africa have found the body of a ninth woman near Johannesburg, raising concerns over a series of killings reported in the area during the past two months.

The victims, all women in their 20s or 30s, were found naked or partially clothed, and some had similar bruising.

Police say it is too early to determine whether the deaths are connected to a serial killer, and investigators are considering multiple suspects or separate perpetrators.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has pledged a thorough investigation, while authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, Al-Jazeera has reported.

The killings have renewed concerns about violence against women in South Africa, where authorities recorded nearly 9,800 reported rapes during the first three months of 2026.