A 38-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of two young women in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria.
The victims, Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga, aged 22 and 21 respectively, were cousins whose bodies were discovered on Sunday morning with gunshot wounds in Mamelodi East Extension 17.
According to Jacaranda FM, Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that officers from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East detectives arrested the suspect at a petrol station in Pretoria after a tip-off from community members.
“The suspect was taken into custody and will appear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday,” Sibeko said.
A third victim who was shot during the incident is receiving medical care and remains in a stable condition.
The Mamelodi cousins were described by relatives as “inseparable and full of promise.” Tshiamo was studying to become a teacher, while Baleseng was training in beauty therapy.
Their bodies were found side by side near a roadside, a discovery that sent shockwaves through the local community.
The case has reignited public anger over gender-based violence, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for swift justice.
Earlier on Monday, the Aubrey Tau Foundation, in partnership with Moja Love TV, announced a R250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
“The foundation cannot stand idle in the face of such tragedy,” said founder Aubrey Tau.
“Extreme violence against women in South Africa has been on the rise. It cannot be that young women are murdered in such a brutal and senseless way.”
Tau confirmed that the organisation would assist the victims’ families with funeral costs and counselling support .
Family members have expressed grief and disbelief. The victims’ aunt, Maggie Moramaga, said she received a call from neighbours alerting her to the tragedy.
“When I got there, it was them. We want justice for these children so we can understand how and why they were killed,” she told Daily Sun.
Police have not yet confirmed the motive for the killings but say investigations are ongoing. They are also examining whether the suspect had prior connections to the victims or acted as part of a larger group.
Law enforcement sources indicated that ballistics testing is being carried out to determine if the weapon used in the attack is linked to other violent crimes in the area.
The suspect remains in police custody and is expected to face charges of murder and attempted murder when he appears in court later this week.
