A 23-year-old woman, Boitumelo Gift Mashita, was shot and killed in Tembisa on 28 September 2026, while on her way to work. According to police, she was shot at in Temong, Thembisa, and her belongings were taken during an alleged robbery. Her family, who arrived at the scene to identify her, expressed doubts about the robbery theory, suggesting a possible disagreement with her partner.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Thembisa team had identified Mashita's estranged husband as a person of interest and were tracing him. However, before they could apprehend him, Midrand police informed them that his vehicle was found with his body inside. The circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated, with police believing he may have ingested an unknown substance.
Police have now linked the estranged husband to Mashita's murder, but have not determined a connection between her killing and other cases in the area. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death, and at this stage, no foul play is suspected. The SAPS is continuing to investigate the case.
The murder of Mashita is the latest in a series of violent crimes against women in South Africa. The SAPS and other authorities have been working to address the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of women and the need for increased efforts to prevent such crimes.
The family of Mashita, particularly her uncle MC Khoza, had expressed concerns about the circumstances surrounding her death. They were following their own leads about a possible disagreement with her partner, which police are now investigating. The SAPS is urging anyone with information about the case to come forward.
The incident has occurred amid a surge in GBV cases in South Africa, with many women being killed or going missing. The SAPS has been working to address the issue, but the numbers continue to be alarming. The government and other stakeholders have been called upon to increase efforts to prevent such crimes and provide support to victims' families.
The SAPS is continuing to investigate the case and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward. The post-mortem examination will help determine the cause of death of the man linked to Mashita's murder. The authorities are working to provide support to Mashita's family and to bring those responsible for her murder to justice.
Key points
- The estranged husband of Boitumelo Gift Mashita was found dead in his car in Midrand, linked to her murder in Tembisa.
- The SAPS is investigating the case, with a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of the man linked to Mashita's murder.
- The murder has sparked concerns about the safety of women in South Africa and the need for increased efforts to prevent gender-based violence.
