Police in South Africa are investigating the deaths of nine women whose bodies have been discovered across Ekurhuleni since July, after another woman was found half-naked and wrapped in a sheet beside a road in Dawn Park on Thursday morning.
The latest victim, believed to be in her 30s, had bruises and what appeared to be stab wounds, according to local media reports. Police have not yet released her identity as investigations continue.
The discovery has raised fresh concern in communities east of Johannesburg, where eight other women have died in separate incidents over the past two months.
Some of the women were found partially clothed and with injuries, prompting fears that the deaths could be linked. However, police have warned against drawing conclusions, saying they have not established whether the cases are connected or whether a serial killer is responsible.
The latest death has left residents, particularly women, increasingly worried about their safety.
"We are scared to come out of our houses. We are scared to go to the shops. We are no longer free in a country where we are supposed to be safe as women," local resident Bongeka Sebela told the BBC.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised that "no stone will be left unturned" as authorities work to establish who is behind the killings. He said the deaths were "causing fear and uncertainty in our communities".
Among those who have died is 38-year-old Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who went missing last week after leaving her home for an afternoon run. Her body was discovered three days later behind a hotel in Kempton Park.
Two other victims have also been identified as Itumeleng Kekana, who had been missing since July, and 38-year-old Dineo Evelyn Motapane, whose body was found beside a road in KwaThema on Tuesday.
The first of the nine bodies was found in Kempton Park on 15 July. Police arrested a suspect two days later in connection with that case, and the person remains in custody. Investigators, however, have not connected the suspect to the other deaths.
More bodies were found in August and September in areas including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Clayville and KwaThema.
Police have since brought together a team made up of detectives, intelligence officers, forensic experts and other specialists to investigate the cases. The team is working to establish whether there are any links between the deaths.
Authorities are also following up on a person of interest, although police have not said which case or cases the individual may be connected to.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said on Thursday that authorities were taking the situation seriously.
"Let's not get emotional, the gloves are off," Lesufi said, adding that the authorities had the capacity to deal with the killings.
In a statement issued on Thursday, South African police said the increase in serious and violent crimes against women remained a "matter of grave concern".
Police urged women to take precautions to protect themselves, including avoiding walking alone or using isolated routes. They also advised women to stay alert around strangers and suspicious vehicles and to share their location or travel plans with someone they trust.
Women were further advised not to walk while listening to music through earphones or earbuds at high volume, as this could make it harder to notice what is happening around them.
"Practising personal safety measures can save lives."
The discoveries have caused widespread fear in Ekurhuleni, especially around Kempton Park, as authorities continue their investigations.
Police have offered a 400,000 rand ($24,000; £18,000) reward for information that may help lead to arrests. They have also appealed to families with missing relatives to come forward and assist in identifying the women whose identities remain unknown.
Despite growing fears of a serial killer, police say they are not treating the deaths as the work of a serial killer at this stage. Investigators are, however, examining the possibility that a group of people could be responsible.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has urged the public to avoid speculation, saying investigators were dealing with what appeared, at this stage, to be "quite distinct, separate events".
The deaths have renewed attention on South Africa's long-running problem of violence against women. The country has one of the world's highest rates of gender-based violence, with UN Women saying the rate at which women are killed is five times higher than the global average.
In November last year, South Africa classified violence against women as a national disaster after an online campaign led to protests across the country.