South African police have arrested three people in connection with the killing of a woman whose body was discovered east of Johannesburg last week, as a series of recent murders fuels renewed concern over violence against women.
The suspects — one man and two women — were detained over the weekend and were expected to appear in court on Monday.
Deputy National Police Commissioner Tebello Mosikili said investigators were examining whether the woman may have been killed in connection with a “love triangle,” although the motive has not yet been established.
Police have discovered the bodies of nine women in the Ekurhuleni municipality over the past two months and are investigating whether any of the cases are connected.
Most of the victims were in their 20s and 30s. Some were found partially or completely stripped and showed signs of sexual assault, according to police.
The killings have intensified public anger over gender-based violence in South Africa, where authorities have repeatedly pledged tougher action against attacks on women.
“We are investigating the facts of each case thoroughly to ensure that we get to the real perpetrators,” Mosikili said.
She added that police had arrested more than 350 people for rape during the past week as part of a broader operation targeting violence against women.
In a separate case, footage of a businessman allegedly threatening women at a restaurant in Johannesburg’s Sandton financial district circulated widely on social media over the weekend.
The man later handed himself over to police and was arrested. He is expected to appear in court next month, while his company has dismissed him from his position.
South Africa continues to struggle with high levels of violent crime and gender-based violence, with campaigners arguing that repeated government commitments have yet to produce sufficient improvements in women’s safety.
