Lungani Zungu
A fourth body has been found in a decomposed and mutilated state in the vicinity of Manor Gardens, Pietermaritzburg, an area known for drugs and sex workers.
The first victim was discovered in December.
Of the four deceased, one was a man who is believed to have been killed after he had spent time with a sex worker.
The fourth victim, a scantily dressed woman, was found butchered on Tuesday near the Manor bridge.
Hazel, a sex worker who has worked in Pietermaritzburg for the last ten years, told Scrolla.Africa that they go to work now not knowing if they’ll come back alive.
“I knew the two girls who were killed but not their families,” she said.
“We hear of incidents like these, but this has never happened here. This is a serial killer. No doubt about it.”
A police source, who is not allowed to talk to the media, said all the deaths point to a plan to kill women and men who are linked to sex workers in the area.
Another sex worker said only the police will know how the women were killed.
“It is clear to see that someone is out to wipe us out,” she said.
DA ward councillor Suraya Reddy told Scrolla.Africa all the deaths appeared to be linked. She said she had held a series of meetings with the police and policing forums in a bid to curb the killings.
SAPS provincial spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed the discovery of the body of a woman on Tuesday.
“An inquest docket is being investigated by Pietermaritzburg SAPS after a decomposed body of a woman was found in the dense bush. The post-mortem will determine the cause of death.”
