The South African Police Service say a 21-year-old man will be charged with murder following the discovery of six bodies – five of them in an advanced state of decomposition in a building in Johannesburg.

Police launched an investigation after complaints of a foul smell coming from one of the rooms in the building. The body of a woman was discovered in the building, and her clothes matched the description of a woman reported missing earlier this month.

Five more bodies were found outside near rubbish dumpsters.

The 21-year-old man – who is believed to be the last person to have been seen with the woman – has been arrested and will be charged with six counts of murder.