CCN

28 September 2026 | 20:45

TEMBISA, GAUTENG — A murder investigation in Tembisa has taken a dramatic turn after the estranged husband of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita was found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand, hours after she was shot and killed.

Mashita was shot at about 05:45 on Monday, 28 September, in Temong, Mapungubwe Street, while she was reportedly on her way to work.

Police initially investigated her death as a murder and robbery after her belongings were taken during the attack. (TimesLIVE⁠)

Her estranged husband was later identified by investigators as a person of interest in the murder investigation, prompting the SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team to search for him.

The search ended when Midrand police alerted the tracking team that his vehicle had been located within their policing precinct — with his body inside.

Estranged husband found dead

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that the man had been identified as a person of interest in Mashita’s murder.

“He was identified as a person of interest in the case, and the SAPS Thembisa Tracking Team had been tracing him.”

Muridili said the tracking team was subsequently informed by Midrand police that the man’s vehicle had been found.

His body was discovered inside the vehicle.

Police currently believe he may have ingested an unknown substance.

“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,” Muridili said. (eNCA⁠)

Midrand police will register an inquest case to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

Mashita was killed on her way to work

The first investigation began early Monday morning when Mashita was shot in Temong.

Police said she was reportedly travelling to work when she was attacked.

Her belongings were taken during what police initially described as an alleged robbery.

Mashita’s family, however, raised concerns that she may have been deliberately targeted by someone who knew her.

Her uncle, Motlatsi Khoza, told TimesLIVE that the family believed someone close to Mashita could have been responsible.

Her sister, Yeolanda Sithole, also said the person the family suspected had allegedly threatened Mashita in the past. These remain allegations from the family and have not been established by police or a court. (TimesLIVE⁠)

Family left searching for answers

Mashita’s death has left her family devastated.

Her uncle described her as a hardworking and respected young woman who was a breadwinner for the family.

Her aunt, Jeanette Khoza, said the family was struggling to process the loss.

Mashita leaves behind a five-year-old son. (TimesLIVE⁠)

The circumstances surrounding her final moments, including who fired the shots and why she was targeted, remain under investigation.

Police investigating two deaths

The discovery of Mashita’s estranged husband’s body means investigators are now dealing with two separate deaths linked by the same investigation.

Mashita’s murder remains a criminal investigation.

The man’s death will be investigated through an inquest, with a post-mortem expected to establish the precise cause of death.

Police have stressed that no foul play is suspected in his death at this stage.

That position could change if post-mortem or other evidence reveals information inconsistent with the preliminary assessment.

No confirmed link to other Ekurhuleni killings

The development comes as police investigate a series of cases involving women whose bodies have been discovered in and around Ekurhuleni.

However, police said preliminary investigations had not established a link between Mashita’s murder and the other cases involving women found dead in the area. (TimesLIVE⁠)

That means Mashita’s case is currently being treated separately.

What We Know

• Boitumelo Gift Mashita was 23 years old.
• She was shot at about 05:45 on 28 September 2026 in Temong, Thembisa.
• She was reportedly on her way to work.
• Police said her belongings were taken during the incident.
• Her estranged husband was later identified as a person of interest in the murder investigation.
• The SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team was searching for him.
• His vehicle was subsequently found in the Midrand policing precinct.
• His body was discovered inside the vehicle.
• Police believe he may have ingested an unknown substance.
• No foul play is suspected in his death at this stage.
• A post-mortem will determine the cause of his death.
• Midrand police will register an inquest.
• Police have not established a link between Mashita’s murder and other recent Ekurhuleni cases involving women found dead. (eNCA⁠)

The Big Question

What happened to Boitumelo Gift Mashita — and what evidence led investigators to identify her estranged husband as a person of interest?

With the man now dead, investigators will need to establish what happened before Mashita’s shooting and whether the evidence gathered can determine who was responsible for her death.

His death also means investigators will have to establish independently how and why he died.

What Happens Next

The immediate steps will include the post-mortem examination of Mashita’s estranged husband and further forensic and investigative work surrounding both deaths.

Police will also continue examining the circumstances of Mashita’s shooting, including witness statements, forensic evidence, CCTV footage where available and the movements of those linked to her.

The inquest into the man’s death will seek to establish the circumstances and cause of his death.

For now, police have not publicly established that his death was a suicide, although reports indicate they suspect he may have ingested an unknown substance. The post-mortem will be important in determining the facts.

Featured image caption

Boitumelo Gift Mashita, 23, was shot and killed in Temong, Thembisa, on Monday morning. Her estranged husband, identified as a person of interest in the investigation, was later found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand.

Article information

Category: Crime / Breaking News
Location: Thembisa and Midrand, Gauteng
Victim: Boitumelo Gift Mashita, 23
Investigation: Murder and robbery
Second case: Inquest into the death of Mashita’s estranged husband
Police spokesperson: Brigadier Brenda Muridili
Status: Both investigations ongoing

Legal note

The man’s identification as a person of interest does not mean he was formally charged with Mashita’s murder or that his responsibility for her death had been established. Police currently suspect he may have ingested an unknown substance and say no foul play is suspected in his death at this stage. A post-mortem and further investigation will establish the facts. No person should be treated as responsible for a crime unless established through due legal process.