Breakthrough: Police nab suspect in double murder of Moramaga cousins in Mamelodi

Police in Gauteng have made a major breakthrough with the arrest of a 38-year-old man in connection with the double murder of two young women and the attempted murder of a third victim in Mamelodi East Extension.

The arrest on Monday followed intensive investigations by police after cousins Tshiamo Moramaga, aged 22, and Baleseng Moramaga, aged 21, were shot dead on Sunday, 26 October 2025. Their bodies were discovered by community members with multiple gunshot wounds near their family home, sending shock and grief through the Mamelodi community.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the arrest and said the suspect was apprehended during a joint operation conducted by detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East Detectives.

“Acting on information received, the team arrested the suspect at a filling station in Pretoria,” said Sibeko.

She added that a third victim, who survived the shooting, is receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. The suspect is expected to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, facing two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

Police said the motive for the killings remains under investigation.

On the day of the incident, police responded to a distress call from residents who reported gunshots in Mamelodi East Extension 17. Officers arrived at the scene and found the two women lying motionless on the ground with visible gunshot wounds.

Family members of the victims described the cousins as inseparable and said they were devastated by the brutal killings. Itumeleng Moramaga, Tshiamo’s mother, said both girls grew up together, went to the same schools, and shared a strong bond.

“When I came to the scene from Thembisa, the pathologists had already placed them inside a vehicle. We do not know who shot them. One of their cellphones was stolen, and the other was still in her pocket. They were always together,” she said.

Police have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation.

According to Statistics South Africa, a woman is murdered every three hours in the country, making South Africa one of the nations with the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. Police crime statistics for 2025 show that over 1,200 women were killed between April and June this year alone, averaging 13 murders a day.

Authorities have called on communities to strengthen vigilance and report gender-based violence or threats immediately to prevent further loss of life.

The suspect remains in police custody pending his court appearance as investigations continue.

Additional reporting Daily Sun