By Mapaballo Borotho

- A man identified as a person of interest in the murder of 23-year-old Boitumelo Mashita has been found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand.
- Police had been tracing the man, who was reportedly Mashita’s estranged husband, after her family raised concerns about their relationship and alleged a recent argument.
- No arrests have been made in Mashita’s murder, and police are continuing to follow up on leads.
A man identified as a person of interest in the brutal murder of 23-year-old Boitumelo Mashita in Tembisa has been found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand.
The man, who was reportedly Mashita’s estranged husband, was identified as a person of interest after her family raised concerns about their relationship and alleged that the pair had a serious argument in recent days.
Mashita was shot and killed in the early hours of Monday morning, 28 September 2026, while walking to work. Some of her belongings were also taken.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says the man was identified as a person of interest in the case, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tembisa Tracking Team was tracing him.
“The team was subsequently informed by the Midrand Police Station that his vehicle had been found within its policing precinct, with his body inside.
It is believed that he may have ingested an unknown substance, as no foul play is suspected at this stage. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death,” said Muridili.
Midrand Police will register an inquest case to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Now, with these unfortunate circumstances, no one has been arrested in connection with Mashita’s murder, and police are continuing to follow up on leads.
The latest developments have also brought renewed attention to the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in South Africa.
Mashita’s murder brings the number of women killed in Ekurhuleni and whose bodies have been found over the past two months to 12, sending another wave of fear through the community.
Police investigations into Mashita’s murder are continuing.
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