Police have confirmed the discovery of a seventh woman’s body in Clayville, near Thembisa Mall, last Monday, as investigators probe a series of cases involving women’s bodies found in parts of Gauteng.
Acting Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana confirmed the latest development while speaking to the media in Kwa-Thema, Springs, where another woman’s body was discovered earlier on Tuesday.
Kekana said the Clayville case has been incorporated into the broader investigation.
“We observed in the river, in Clayville, next to Thembisa Mall. Therefore, this body will also be included as part of what is being investigated by the whole team.”
He said police were treating the Clayville discovery as the seventh body under investigation and did not want to leave any possible link unexplored.
The woman was found naked, although she was still wearing her underwear.
“She was found naked, but with her underwear on. We don’t want to speculate whether the clothes were taken by the river flow or what, but we have included it now as part of what we are going to investigate,” Kekana said.
He added that preliminary investigations indicated that the woman had been strangled.
The latest discovery comes as police investigate the deaths of women whose bodies have been found in different areas of Gauteng.
Meanwhile, Ekurhuleni Mayor Dr Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said authorities must ensure that all areas are covered, particularly those used by residents in their daily activities.
“We should be able to ensure that we clear all areas, whether it’s in the front line or the backside, because communities, that is where they work, that is where they go on with their day-to-day activities,” Xhakaza said.
He said authorities were focused on strengthening interventions on the ground rather than shifting blame.
“We do not want to attribute the blame, but it’s to recommit. And that commitment is exactly, as you saw, the teams on the ground to ensure that service delivery is attended to.”
Police top brass are expected to meet later on Tuesday to discuss the latest developments and the ongoing investigation.
