The murder investigation into the death of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita in Tembisa has taken a dramatic turn after the man police had identified as a person of interest – her estranged husband – was found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand.
Mashita was shot at about 5.45am on Monday, September 28, on Mapungubwe Street in the Temong section of Thembisa while she was reportedly on her way to work. Police initially opened cases of murder and robbery after her belongings were allegedly taken during the attack.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that investigators subsequently linked Mashita’s estranged husband to the murder and began tracing him.
Man found dead during police search
According to Muridili, the SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team was actively searching for the man when Midrand police alerted them that his vehicle had been located within their policing precinct.
His body was found inside the vehicle.
“The team was subsequently informed by the Midrand Police Station that his vehicle had been found within its policing precinct, with his body inside,” Muridili said.
Police believe he may have ingested an unknown substance. At this stage, investigators have found no indication of foul play in his death.
“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.
Midrand police will register an inquest docket into the man’s death.
Family had raised concerns
Earlier on Monday, before police publicly linked the estranged husband to the investigation, members of Mashita’s family had already expressed suspicions that someone known to her could have been responsible.
Her uncle, Motlatsi Khoza, told the media that the family believed the attack was intentional and that they suspected the estranged husband. Mashita’s sister, Yeolanda Sithole, also said the person the family suspected had allegedly threatened her sister in the past.
The family reportedly went to the man’s home after Mashita’s death but did not find him there. Khoza said they subsequently suspected his involvement after they were unable to reach him.
These were allegations made by family members at the time and had not, at that stage, been established as facts by investigators. Police have now confirmed that their investigation had identified the man as a person of interest.
What happened to Boitumelo
Police initially treated Mashita’s death as a murder linked to an alleged robbery. She was reportedly walking to work when she was shot, with her belongings taken during the incident.
The killing occurred as police were already investigating a series of cases involving women’s bodies being discovered in parts of Ekurhuleni.
However, Muridili said preliminary investigations had not established a connection between Mashita’s murder and those cases.
At the time of the initial investigation, police had appealed to anyone with information to come forward through their nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the MySAPS App.
Investigation continues
The death of Mashita’s estranged husband does not bring the murder investigation to an end. Police still have to establish exactly what happened to Mashita, who was responsible for her shooting and whether the circumstances surrounding the man’s death have any bearing on the broader investigation.
A post-mortem examination will determine the cause of the man’s death, while the murder investigation into Mashita’s death remains ongoing. The inquest into his death will also seek to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
At this stage, police have not announced an arrest in connection with Mashita’s murder, and the man’s identification as a person of interest should not be treated as a finding of guilt.
