A 27-year-old woman was found brutally killed in Lebotloane, Moretele, in the early hours of Thursday, just hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the escalating crisis of gender-based violence and femicide.

The woman was found lying in a pool of blood in the village on October 1, with police now searching for a suspect in connection with her death.

The killing has sent shockwaves through the Moretele community, with the municipality warning that the latest incident forms part of a worrying pattern of violent crimes reported across the area in recent months.

Moretele Local Municipality mayor Masango George Manyike condemned the killing and expressed condolences to the woman’s family.

“On behalf of the Municipality and Council, I wish to convey our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased during this painful time,” Manyike said.

The killing comes at a particularly troubling time for the country, following Ramaphosa’s address on Wednesday night in which he confronted the continuing crisis of GBVF and the killing of women.

The President’s address followed a series of killings that have renewed national concern about violence against women, including the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni.

Against that backdrop, Moretele has now recorded another killing of a young woman.

Manyike said the latest incident was not isolated and pointed to several other violent crimes reported in communities across the municipality.

In Lebotloane, he said, it was the second incident involving the brutal killing of a young woman.

In an earlier case, a young woman was allegedly murdered, after which her boyfriend allegedly took his own life.

In Danhouse, a young boy allegedly killed his grandparents with a panga.

In Swartdam, a man remains in custody after allegedly killing two siblings and one of their partners.

In another incident, a 90-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her nephew.

Manyike said the pattern of killings had become a broader community concern that required more than a law enforcement response.

“These killings are no longer a concern for the police alone, but a deep community concern that requires all of us to act,” he said.

He appealed to residents to remain calm and allow police to conduct their investigation into the latest killing.

Residents were also urged to provide investigators with any information that could help identify and apprehend the suspect.

The municipality said it would send a delegation to the woman’s family on Thursday to offer support and assist where possible.

Counselling would also be provided to the family, according to the municipality.

Manyike called on residents to stand together against GBVF and other forms of violent crime, while urging people to report abuse and threats.

“We urge our communities to stand together against gender-based violence and all forms of violent crime. Let us protect one another and report any form of abuse,” he said.

The latest killing illustrates the challenge facing communities and authorities as South Africa continues to grapple with violence against women.

While the circumstances surrounding the Moretele woman’s death were not immediately available, the municipality has appealed to anyone who may have information to contact the South African Police Service.

Residents have also been urged not to take the law into their own hands or interfere with the investigation.

For the woman’s family, the national debate over GBVF has been brought painfully close to home, with her death coming hours after the President addressed the country about the very crisis that continues to claim women’s lives.

Manyike said the municipality would continue to support the family and community as the investigation proceeds.

“May her soul rest in peace,” he said.