By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Services (SAPS) have confirmed that another woman’s body has been found along the railway line in Struisbult, Springs, East of Johannesburg.
This brings the number of bodies discovered in the broader area since July to eleven, although police have not confirmed whether it is linked to the other murders.
Fullview learnt that a security company vehicle patrolling the area spotted the body and alerted police.
The woman’s body was found half-naked and appeared to have been strangled.
SAPS spokesperson Brenda Muridili said, “On Sunday, 27 September 2026, at approximately 12:00, SAPS Springs responded to a crime scene where a body was discovered in an open veld near Rhokana Road.”
Muridili said, “All necessary role players have been mobilised, including the task team investigating the Ekurhuleni murder cases, crime scene management, Investigative Psychology Services (IPS), detectives and Crime Intelligence.”
She added that they will provide more information once preliminary investigations are complete.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact the Crime Stop Line on 08600 10111, or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS App.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates, with 5,427 people murdered between April and June this year alone.
But it is the nature of the recent killings around Johannesburg that has left many women there reeling from the growing death toll.
The deaths have increased pressure on the national government less than a year after ministers declared gender-based violence a national disaster.
While South African police statistics do not differentiate victims by gender, the South African Human Rights Commission said last week that 569 women were killed and 1,052 others survived attempted murder between April and June this year.
Meanwhile the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission), have extended the Joint National Inquiry into the reporting, victim support, investigation and pre-trial functioning of the criminal justice system’s response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
The extension follows an overwhelming response to public call for submissions, reflecting significant public interest in the Inquiry and a broad commitment to strengthening South Africa’s response to GBVF.
The submissions have come from victims and survivors, families, civil society and community-based organisations, researchers, legal practitioners, service providers, academics, institutions, and members of the public.
The Inquiry is established in accordance with the constitutional mandate of Chapter 9 institutions to promote, protect, monitor, and assess the observance of constitutional rights and to make recommendations aimed at strengthening accountability, equality, dignity, and access to justice.
The Inquiry will be conducted in different phases, with the first phase focus specifically on Stage 1: Survivor Testimony and Lived Experiences and Stage 2: Pre-Trial Functioning and Accountability within the criminal justice system.
The Commissions said the public participation process will provide an important opportunity for affected individuals and stakeholders to share their experiences, identify systemic challenges and contribute to recommendations aimed at improving the response to GBVF.
The inquiry is scheduled to take place at Braampark Office Park in Braamfontein from 29 September to 02 October 2026.