DID Press: The discovery of nine women’s bodies in and around eastern Johannesburg has sparked widespread concern among women, particularly runners, prompting some to change their exercise times and routes.
South African police said the bodies of nine women were found at different locations in eastern Johannesburg between July 15 and Sept. 17. Some of the victims were found naked or partially clothed, while signs of violence were reported in several cases.
One of the victims, 38-year-old runner Elizabeth Tsonotso Moslakogomo, left home for a run and did not return. Her body was found several days later and was identified by her family.
Following her death, hundreds of runners took part in a memorial event for Moslakogomo, wearing black and running about 13 km in protest against violence against women and femicide.
The growing concerns have also prompted some women to change their running times and routes, exercise in groups and consider carrying personal-defense tools. Nancy Masha, one of the runners, said: “I am a woman and a runner, so I need to carry a weapon.”
Police have not confirmed any connection between the nine cases or the existence of a serial killer. Investigations into possible links between some of the cases are continuing.
South Africa has previously classified gender-based violence as a “national disaster” under its disaster-management framework.