Police in South Africa have arrested three people over the killing of a woman whose body was discovered in Dawn Park, east of Johannesburg, amid growing concerns over a series of violent deaths involving women in the area.
The suspects, comprising one man and two women, are expected to appear before a court on Monday following the death of Jabulile Ntimba.
Authorities described the arrests as a significant development as investigators face mounting pressure to establish who is behind nine recent killings reported in the region.
Ntimba’s partially unclothed body was found wrapped in a sheet and abandoned last Thursday.
Her death is among several cases in which female victims were reportedly found with their bodies partly exposed and showing signs of injury.
However, investigators have cautioned against linking the incidents prematurely, saying there is currently no confirmation that the deaths were carried out by the same person or group.
Deputy police chief Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili said forensic analysts were examining the cases for possible connections.
He added that preliminary inquiries into Ntimba’s death pointed towards a dispute involving a personal relationship, including a possible love triangle.
Acting police chief Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane said officers remained committed to identifying those responsible for the killings and bringing them before the courts.
South Africa continues to face serious challenges involving gender-based violence and violent crime.
Figures cited by the country’s Human Rights Commission suggest that an average of six women were killed each day between April and June this year.
The latest deaths have generated widespread concern, with advocacy groups and members of the public demanding stronger measures to protect women and address the persistent threat of violence.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong