A man identified as a person of interest in the murder of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita has been found dead. Image: SAPS
SAPS
1Min
South Africa
Tembisa murder suspect found dead in vehicle after woman shot and killed
A man identified as a person of interest in the murder of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita has been found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand hours after she was shot and killed in Thembisa.
Gauteng police are investigating the murder and robbery of 23-year-old Boitumelo Gift Mashita, who was shot and killed while reportedly on her way to work in Thembisa on Monday morning.
Mashita was allegedly attacked during a robbery at about 05:45 in Temong, Mapungubwe Street. Her belongings were reportedly taken during the incident.
Police have since identified her estranged husband as a person of interest in the murder.
According to an update from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team had been tracing the man after investigators linked him to Mashita’s murder.
The team was later informed by Midrand police that his vehicle had been found within their policing precinct, with his body inside.
Police said it is believed that the man may have ingested an unknown substance. No foul play is suspected at this stage, although a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the exact cause of his death.
Midrand police will register an inquest case to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Meanwhile, police said preliminary investigations have found no link between Mashita’s murder and recent cases involving the bodies of women found in Ekurhuleni.
No arrests have been made in connection with Mashita's murder.
