By Mapaballo Borotho

- Police have arrested 27-year-old Simiso Silomo Phakathi for his alleged involvement in the murder of his 37-year-old live-in partner, Jabulisile Josephina Tshabalala, in Soweto.
- Tshabalala was allegedly stabbed to death, with her body discovered inside the back room where she had been living with Phakathi.
- Police say information from the Joubertina community in Klerksdorp helped lead to his arrest within four hours of his details being circulated.
Police have arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly murdering his live-in partner, 37-year-old Jabulisile Josephina Tshabalala, in Soweto.
Tshabalala’s body was discovered on 13 August 2026 inside the back room where she had been residing with the suspect.
She had allegedly been stabbed to death, and her body was found covered with blankets and clothes.
The brutal discovery of her lifeless body prompted police to launch a manhunt for her boyfriend, Simiso Silomo Phakathi.
“Within four hours of SAPS releasing the suspect’s details, members of the Joubertina community in Klerksdorp provided critical information to the police after recognising him from his photograph, which had been widely circulated across television, radio, social media and online platforms,” said Athlenda Mathe, National Police spokesperson.
Mathe says Phakathi has since been arrested and will be transported back to Johannesburg, where he will face the full might of the law for the murder of his girlfriend.
The Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane has commended the community of Joubertina for working alongside law enforcement officers to ensure the arrest of the alleged murder suspect.
“More can be achieved when communities and the media support the work of the police. The swift response from the people of Klerksdorp shows that communities have a critical role to play in keeping our country safe,” she said.
Dimpane emphasised that there is no hiding place for perpetrators of serious and violent crimes.
“Those who commit such crimes will be pursued relentlessly, wherever they may be, until they are brought before a court of law,” she added.
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