South African police have found the body of another woman near Johannesburg, bringing the number of female bodies discovered in the area since mid-July to 11.
Police said the latest body was discovered in an open field in Ekurhuleni municipality on Sunday.
A security company vehicle patrolling the area noticed the body and alerted police, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.
The woman’s identity, age and cause of death were not immediately known.
Police investigate series of killings
The discovery came one day after another woman was found dead near a cemetery in the same municipality.
Police are investigating whether some of the killings are connected. However, they have not established that a single person or group is responsible for all 11 deaths.
Provincial police chief Tommy Mthombeni said the woman found on Saturday appeared to have been stoned to death. A post-mortem examination will determine the official cause of death.
Police also arrested a man linked to that killing almost 400km away.
The arrest brought the number of people in custody in connection with the different killings to four.
Several bodies found in Ekurhuleni
Police discovered three women’s bodies in July and August. They were found within 6km of one another in Ekurhuleni.
Earlier in September, another six bodies were discovered within 10 days in the same municipality.
Before Saturday’s discovery, all the victims were women in their 20s or 30s. Several were found partially or completely naked, according to Al Jazeera.
The first victim was discovered in mid-July. Police later arrested her boyfriend, but no charges were filed.
Meanwhile, two women have been charged with murdering the ninth woman, whose body was discovered on September 17.
Police believe that case may have involved a relationship-related dispute.
Mthombeni said investigators consider the ninth killing an isolated case. However, he said some of the other cases share similarities.
He stressed that investigators still lack conclusive evidence linking the killings to the same suspect or group.
Concern over violence against women
The discoveries have increased concern over violence against women in South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the issue after the 10th body was discovered.
Speaking on Saturday, Ramaphosa described the continuing killing of women as a source of sadness and shame.
According to figures cited by Al Jazeera, an average of 15 women are killed each day in South Africa.
Police investigations into the deaths in Ekurhuleni are continuing.