Man linked to Tembisa killing found dead in car in Midrand

A man identified as a person of interest in the killing of a 23-year-old woman in Tembisa was found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand, police said.

What happened

Gauteng police said the man, who was the estranged husband of the victim, had been identified as a person of interest in the death of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita. Police said he was being tracked by the SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team.

Victim shot on way to work

Police said Mashita was shot and killed at about 5.45am on Monday, September 28, in Temong, Mapungubwe Street, Tembisa. She was on her way to work when she was allegedly shot during a robbery, and her belongings were taken, the police spokesperson said. Murder and robbery cases were opened and investigators followed up on leads.

Discovery in Midrand

Midrand police informed investigators that the estranged husband’s vehicle had been located in the Midrand policing precinct, and his body was found inside the vehicle. Police said it was believed the man may have ingested an unknown substance and that there was no indication of foul play at this stage.

Brigadier Brenda Muridili, the Gauteng police spokesperson, said a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death. Midrand police will register an inquest case as part of their probe into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Broader investigation

Police said preliminary investigations had not established any link between Mashita’s murder and recent cases involving the bodies of women found in Ekurhuleni. Authorities urged anyone with information to contact their nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or submit information through the MySAPS App.