Residents of Boitekong in the North West province say they fear a serial killer may be prowling the area after the discovery of six bodies in recent weeks.
The victims, many of whom are in their 30s, all vanished weeks apart and found 10 to 14 days later.
Residents believe there may be a serial killer who kills people elsewhere and dumps them in the river.
According to the fourth quarter crime statistics, Rustenburg leads the province in murder cases but ranks 15th nationwide.
Boitekong police station, where the discovery of these bodies was reported, ranks in the top four for murder cases in the province.
Gender Based Violence and Femicide Activist, Koketso Berries, says the river has now become a crime scene.
Thirty-six-year-old Gomolemo Olifant went missing on the 7th of May, on a Thursday. Her body was found in this river 13 days later.
Seven days later, also on a Thursday, 14 May, 36-year-old Thapelo Ditsele went missing. His body was retrieved from the river on the 26th of May.
The third victim, 34-year-old Christopher Mogomotsi, went missing on the 28th of May.
His body was discovered Thursday morning on the 11th of June and was reportedly found with stab wounds 13 days after he went missing.
The body of Olebogeng Tagote and two others, who have not been identified yet, were found earlier this month.
Christopher Mogomotsi’s aunt, Kgomotso Nkopane, says they are still dealing with the loss.
“We are still hurt by the loss of our son, and worse not knowing who took him and his life…all these days without medication, water and food…will never heal.”
Berries however feels that there’s seemingly a pattern.
“So normally when I get to the scene, these bodies are always facing downwards, and you see them floating none of them were naked and when they are being turned, that’s where now you find that they have similar wounds. Often when we look at these wounds, you will see that it was a sharp object that was used, definitely not a gun.”
Residents fear that there might be a serial killer.
Community members decry what they call the slow pace of police in attending to these cases.
SABC News sent a detailed inquiry to the SAPS North West relating to the bodies dumped in the river and whether it could be the work of a serial killer.
Despite several undertakings to assist, no comment was forthcoming.
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