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A chilling double murder in Mamelodi East has left residents reeling, as police intensify efforts to find those behind the killing of two young women — cousins who shared nearly every moment of their lives until their tragic end.
The Aubrey Tau Foundation has offered a R250,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators responsible for the deaths of Tshiamo Moramaga (22) and Baleseng Moramaga (21).
The pair were found shot dead in the early hours of Sunday, 26 October 2025, on Sompisi Street, Extension 17, Mamelodi East. Their bodies were discovered by shocked community members at around 6:15 a.m., setting off a wave of outrage and fear that has gripped the area since.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), both women had visible gunshot wounds. A double murder case has been opened and investigators are pursuing several leads.
Residents reported hearing raised voices and several gunshots in the early hours of Sunday, but few dared to step outside. By sunrise, two lifeless bodies lay near the roadside — young, vibrant, and full of potential just hours before.
“It was a heartbreaking scene,” said a resident who asked not to be named. “You could tell they had been targeted. No one deserves to die like that.”
Family members identified the victims as cousins who had grown up together in Mamelodi. Their closeness was well-known — they attended the same crèche, went to school together, and were rarely seen apart.
“They were more like sisters than cousins,” said Itumeleng Moramaga, Tshiamo’s mother. Fighting tears, she described the devastating moment she learned of their deaths.
“I got the call early in the morning. They said two girls were found on the street. I rushed there and when I saw them… it was my daughter and my niece. I still can’t believe it,” she said.
Police sources confirmed that one of the victims’ phones was missing, suggesting a possible robbery, while the other’s phone was found in her pocket. However, authorities have not ruled out any motives, including personal disputes or gender-based violence.
Tshiamo was studying beauty therapy and had recently started working at a local salon. Baleseng was pursuing a teaching qualification and had been home for the weekend. Both were described by their family as “disciplined, respectful, and determined young women” who dreamed of building better futures.
Their deaths have sparked anger across social media, with many calling for stronger action against violent crime and femicide in South Africa.
The Aubrey Tau Foundation, which frequently supports justice initiatives and victims’ families, announced the R250,000 reward on Monday. The organization urged anyone with credible information to come forward, stressing that community silence only protects killers.
“This is a senseless and brutal act. Two promising young lives have been stolen,” the Foundation said in a statement. “We are calling on anyone who knows what happened that night to speak out. Justice must be served.”
The Mamelodi East SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Tlaleng Mokoena, confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. “We are following up on all available information. No arrests have been made at this stage, but we are confident that the suspects will be found,” she said.
Police have appealed to the public to assist in tracing anyone who may have been seen with the victims on Saturday night. Officers are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby shops and residences.
Community activists have since organized a night vigil at Sompisi Street, where candles and flowers now line the pavement where the two young women were found. Messages of sorrow and anger cover the walls — each one a cry for justice.
“We are tired of burying our daughters,” said community leader, Dineo Mothapo. “Every week it’s another woman killed by someone who should have protected her, or by people who see women’s lives as disposable. This cannot continue.”
The killings have reignited national debates over South Africa’s persistent gender-based violence crisis, where women remain disproportionately targeted in violent crimes. According to the latest SAPS statistics, more than 1,200 women were murdered in the first half of 2025 alone — an alarming figure that continues to rise despite repeated government pledges to act.
Many in Mamelodi now fear for their own safety. “We are scared,” said a local student who knew the victims. “You can’t even walk home from a friend’s house at night anymore. We need police visibility. We need justice.”
The Moramaga family says they are struggling to cope with the loss. The cousins will be buried side by side later this week — a final gesture that reflects the bond they shared in life.
“They did everything together,” said Itumeleng softly. “Now even in death, they will not be apart.”
The family is calling on authorities to ensure that the killers face the full weight of the law. “We just want answers,” she said. “We want to know who did this and why.”
The Aubrey Tau Foundation has urged anyone with information to contact the nearest police station or the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111. Tip-offs can also be submitted anonymously.
For now, Mamelodi mourns. Two bright futures have been extinguished. Two families are shattered. And a community once again finds itself asking — when will it stop?
Anyone with information that can assist in the investigation is urged to come forward. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.
