South Africa Police Arrest 3 in Connection With Woman's Killing

Police in South Africa have arrested three suspects in connection with the killing of a woman whose body was discovered last week in Ekurhuleni, a municipality east of Johannesburg. The suspects, two women and a man, were expected to appear in court on Monday.

These arrests are in relation to one of a series of killings of women in the same area over the past two months. The nine killings, primarily of women in their 20s and 30s, have fueled anger and concern in a country with high rates of violence against women. Investigators are examining whether the killings are connected, leading to fears of a serial offender or offenders.

Authorities have stated that it is not yet certain if all the killings are linked, though similarities have been identified in some cases. Police Minister Firoz Cachalia indicated on Sunday that while no conclusive evidence of a serial killer has been found, "nothing has yet been excluded while investigations continue." He also issued an alert for women in Ekurhuleni to take precautions.

The bodies of six of the victims were found within a 10-day period this month. Four of the nine victims were discovered within approximately six kilometers (3.7 miles) of each other, with several bodies found in open areas near main roads.