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Three suspects have been detained in South Africa in connection with the killing of a woman in Dawn Park, east of Johannesburg, as authorities investigate a series of nine recent cases involving women whose bodies were found in the area.
Police have described the arrests of a man and two women as a “breakthrough” in the investigation, following mounting pressure from the public and advocacy groups over the violence targeting women in the region.
The suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday over the death of Jabulile Ntimba, whose partially clothed body was discovered wrapped in a sheet in Dawn Park last Thursday.
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Acting police chief Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane said officers were working to identify those responsible for the deaths linked to the wider investigation.
“Working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice,” Dimpane said, referring to all nine cases under review.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the deaths are connected or whether a serial offender is involved. Several victims were found partially clothed and with injuries, prompting concern over possible links between the cases.
Deputy police chief Lt Gen Tebello Mosikili said investigators were assessing available evidence to determine whether the incidents were connected.
“A team of analysts are working hard to see if there are links to all these cases,” Mosikili said.
However, he added that the killing of Ntimba appeared to be linked to a personal relationship, including a possible “love triangle”.
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The investigation comes as South Africa continues to face high levels of gender-based violence. While official crime statistics do not provide a breakdown of murder victims by gender, an estimate from the South African Human Rights Commission indicated that an average of six women were killed daily between April and June this year.
The discovery of the bodies has intensified public concern over women’s safety and renewed calls for stronger action against gender-based violence across the country.
Authorities say investigations into the nine deaths remain ongoing as police work to establish the circumstances surrounding each case.
