Boitumelo Gift Mashita, a 23-year-old woman from Thembisa, was shot and killed on Mapungubwe Street in Temong on Monday, September 28, 2026, while on her way to work. Later that day, police found her estranged husband dead inside his vehicle in Midrand. Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili stated that authorities suspect the man may have ingested an unknown substance, and an inquest case has been opened to determine the exact cause of death following a post-mortem examination.
Thembisa Murder Investigation Unfolds as Estranged Husband is Found Dead in Midrand
Mashita was killed at approximately 05:45 on Monday morning. Residents of Temong woke up to gunshots, and her body was discovered on Mapungubwe Street. Police initially opened a murder and robbery case after reporting that her belongings, including her phone, had been taken during the incident.
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Investigators subsequently linked her estranged husband to the killing and identified him as a person of interest. Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that the SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team was actively tracing him when the Midrand Police Station informed them that his red Kia vehicle had been located within their precinct with his body inside. Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected at this stage regarding his death.
Family and Community Reactions to the Early Morning Shooting
Prior to the police update regarding the husband, Mashita’s family voiced deep concerns that someone close to her was involved. Her sister, Yeolanda Sithole, stated that an individual suspected by the family had allegedly threatened to kill her. Her uncle, Motlatsi Khoza, also shared the family’s belief that someone close to the victim was responsible.
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Family members remembered Mashita as someone who brought life to their gatherings. Her aunt, Jeanette Khoza, expressed the family’s grief and their distress over how to inform Mashita’s young son. Relatives noted that her identity document was left behind the mobile phone that went missing during the attack.
Did You Know? Before the police linked her estranged husband to the crime, investigators initially opened a joint murder and robbery case because Mashita’s phone and belongings were missing from the scene where she was shot on Mapungubwe Street.
Police Tracking and the Path Forward for the Inquest
The SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team was closing in on the person of interest when the Midrand police discovered the vehicle. Because no foul play is suspected in the man’s death, the Midrand police have registered an inquest file to investigate the circumstances surrounding his passing. Brigadier Muridili noted that a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the exact cause of death.
Brigadier Muridili confirmed that preliminary investigations have found no link between Mashita’s killing and recent cases involving women’s bodies discovered across Ekurhuleni.
Details on the murdered chef and her husband found dead in Midrand
Who was the victim of the Thembisa shooting?
The victim was 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita, who worked as a chef in Centurion and was a mother to a five-year-old son.
What did police find in Midrand?
Police found a man suspected of involvement in the murder dead inside his vehicle in Midrand. Authorities believe he was Mashita’s estranged husband and that he may have ingested an unknown substance.
Are police treating the husband’s death as a murder?
No, police stated that no foul play is suspected at this stage in his death and that the Midrand police have registered an inquest case for investigation.
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