Suspect held after two young women found shot dead in South Africa

A 38-year-old suspect has been taken into custody by the police in relation to the killings of two women in Mamelodi East in South Africa’s Gauteng province.

On Sunday, the bodies of Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga, who were cousins, were discovered with gunshot wounds.

A suspect arrested in connection with the killing of the two women is scheduled to appear in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The women’s family has been devastated by the event that took place in Mamelodi East in Pretoria on Sunday, 26 October.

Itumeleng Moramaga confirmed to IOL News that her daughter, Tshiamo Moramaga (22), and her sister’s daughter, Baleseng Moramaga (21) were the victims.

Itumeleng, who said she was at home in Tembisa, was informed of the tragedy by her eldest sister, the mother of Baleseng.

She confirmed that the two young women lived together in Mamelodi, where they rented a room.

“My eldest sister called me in the morning telling me about this incident, that I had to rush there. I asked what happened, and she just said the kids got hurt. I was shocked because my daughter had recently visited me,” she said.

When she arrived at the scene, she was met with the devastating news that the two young women had been shot dead.

“When I arrived there, I found that they had died, and they were already inside the forensic vehicle. I asked to see them, and when I did, I saw that it was them – they had been shot,” she said tearfully.

The distraught mother said she is still struggling to come to terms with the loss.

“I’m so hurt. I’m shattered because she was the only daughter I had. I’m now left with two sons. I don’t know what happened, or what could have led to them being killed in such a brutal way, especially while they were together,” she said, tears running down her face.

She said that according to neighbours, they had heard gunshots a few metres from where the two young women lived.

“The neighbours said they heard arguments and gunshots around 04h00, on the street,” she said.

According to the neighbours, Tshiamo was heard arguing with her boyfriend, she said.

She added that a message found on Baleseng’s phone showed the two had been communicating shortly before the shooting, but Tshiamo’s phone was missing and may have been stolen.

“They grew up together like twins,” she said. “They went to crèche together, and they even loved wearing the same clothes since childhood.”

The heartbroken mother said the last time she saw her daughter was on Saturday.

“She came on Friday to install a weave for me because I was going to a function and she left on Saturday. She was studying beauty therapy, nails and hair,” she said.

She said Baleseng was a third-year bachelor of education student at the University of South Africa (Unisa).

“We are shattered as a family. We never expected such a tragic thing to happen to them. The pain I am feeling now, I can’t even wish for my enemy,” she said.

“We want justice for them. Women and children are getting killed every day. We want the police to get to the bottom of this and find out what happened.”

Meanwhile, Tshwane district police spokesperson captain Johan van Dyk confirmed the incident, saying officers from SAPS Mamelodi East were called to the scene at Sompisi Street at 06h15 on Sunday after community members discovered the bodies of two young women.

“Upon arrival, police found the bodies of two female victims, aged 21 and 22, both with gunshot wounds to the head,” Van Dyk said.

He said a double murder investigation has been opened.

“The motive for this horrific incident is unknown at this stage,” he said. – IOL News

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