Three arrested in South Africa over one of nine women's bodies found

Three suspects have been detained in South Africa in connection with the murder of a woman in an area east of Johannesburg – the last of nine recent cases in that region that has shone a spotlight on the level of violence.

Key points

• Their case relates to the death of Jabulile Ntimba, whose half-naked body was discovered wrapped in a sheet in Dawn Park last Thursday.
• Referring to all nine cases, acting police chief Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane remarked her officers were "working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice".
• I built this 'AI aunt' for women after family tragedy in South Africa.
• Grim discoveries of murdered women spark fear in South Africa.
• Go to BBCAfrica.com, external for more news from the African continent.

Under pressure to solve the spate of murders which has involved victims' bodies being dumped on a roadside, police have described the arrests of the three – a man and two women – as a "breakthrough".

Referring to all nine cases, acting police chief Lt Gen Puleng Dimpane remarked her officers were "working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice". The three suspects are due in court on Monday morning.

For context, a number of of the recent victims were discovered partially clothed and with injuries, but police have stressed that they have not established whether all the deaths are connected or whether a serial killer is responsible. You may additionally be interested in. Grim discoveries of murdered women spark fear in South Africa. South Africa calls gender violence a national disaster after protests.

Taken together, the developments around three arrested in South Africa over one of nine women' s bodies found point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.