Ninth woman's body found as South African police investigate string of deaths

Police in South Africa have confirmed the discovery of a ninth woman's body in just two months, amid growing concern over a string of unexplained deaths east of Johannesburg.

The latest victim was found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet on the side of a road in Dawn Park on Thursday morning, police said. Her identity has not yet been released.

The discovery follows the deaths of eight other women whose bodies have been found since July across Ekurhuleni, a major urban area of Johannesburg.

Several of the women were found partially clothed and with injuries, but police have stressed that they have not established whether all the deaths are connected or whether a serial killer is responsible.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed that "no stone will be left unturned" in finding those behind the killings , which he said were "causing fear and uncertainty in our communities".

Among the victims was 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who disappeared last week after leaving her home for an afternoon run. Her body was found three days later behind a hotel in Kempton Park.

Two other victims have since been identified as Itumeleng Kekana, who had been missing since July, and 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, whose body was discovered by the roadside in KwaThema on Tuesday.