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Mamelodi, 27 October 2025 — A dramatic breakthrough has been made in the brutal double murder that shocked Mamelodi East over the weekend. Police have confirmed the arrest of 38-year-old tavern bouncer, Tebogo Mnisi, in connection with the killing of two young women and the attempted murder of a third.
Mnisi was taken into custody on Monday morning at a Pretoria filling station, following an intensive manhunt that began after the bodies of cousins Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga, aged 22 and 21, were discovered in Mahube Valley Extension 17 early Sunday.
The pair had been out at a local tavern hours before their deaths. By 2am, residents reported hearing heated arguments and gunfire echoing through the quiet Mamelodi streets.
When police arrived on the scene, they found both women lying on the side of the road — each with gunshot wounds to the head. A third person, believed to be a friend of the victims, was rushed to Letaba Hospital in critical condition and is now under police protection.
A WhatsApp message sent by one of the victims shortly before the killings has since surfaced, raising chilling questions about what led to their final moments. The message, allegedly from Tshiamo, read:
“Tlaa go Tebogo ashuu wa actor moh.”
(“Come, Tebogo is acting up.”)
The message, sent to a friend just hours before the shooting, pointed directly to the now-arrested suspect, Tebogo Mnisi, who was reportedly known to both victims.
Following the incident, tensions in the community escalated rapidly. Residents, angered by reports that Mnisi was still at large, torched his home in Mahube Valley late Sunday afternoon.
“He killed them and ran. The police must not waste time,” said one resident. “We don’t want bail — he must face the consequences.”
Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying a joint task force involving the Gauteng Serious and Violent Crimes Unit, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East Detectives tracked the suspect through tip-offs and surveillance footage.
“A 38-year-old male was arrested at a Pretoria filling station in connection with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder,” Sibeko said. “He will appear in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, October 29.”
The motive remains under investigation, though early reports suggest a confrontation at the tavern may have escalated into violence.
Family members of the victims say they are struggling to come to terms with the loss. Itumeleng Moramaga, mother of Tshiamo, described her daughter and niece as inseparable.
“They grew up together like twins,” she said, her voice breaking. “They went to school together, even dressed alike. Now I have to bury both of them.”
The grieving mother revealed that Tshiamo had been studying beauty therapy, while her cousin Baleseng was in her third year of a Bachelor of Education degree at UNISA.
“She came home on Friday to do my hair because I had a function. She left on Saturday — that was the last time I saw her alive,” Itumeleng said.
Residents say the killings have left the community gripped by fear and anger. Some have called for stronger police patrols and harsher penalties for perpetrators of gender-based violence.
The Soil of Africa Civic Movement, a local activist group, condemned the attack and urged authorities to prioritise women’s safety in Mamelodi and other vulnerable areas.
“We cannot keep burying young women while killers roam free,” said spokesperson Thabo Machete. “We demand visible policing in our townships, especially on weekends when most of these crimes happen.”
Social media erupted after the news broke, with thousands sharing images of the victims under the hashtag #JusticeForMamelodiCousins. Many expressed outrage at the senselessness of the killings and frustration with what they see as the slow pace of justice.
“Every week it’s another woman. Another name. Another body,” one user wrote. “South Africa is failing its daughters.”
Police have urged calm, warning residents not to take the law into their own hands.
“We understand the community’s anger,” said Captain Sibeko, “but vigilantism will only obstruct justice. The suspect is in custody. Let the law take its course.”
According to community sources, Mnisi worked as a bouncer at several taverns around Mamelodi and was well-known in nightlife circles. Witnesses allege he had been seen spending heavily on alcohol on the night of the murders — with some claiming he spent nearly R10,000 before the deadly confrontation.
Investigators are now piecing together Mnisi’s movements that night, reviewing CCTV footage from the tavern and nearby streets. Police believe alcohol and jealousy may have played a role.
“There’s evidence suggesting a domestic dispute turned violent,” said a police insider familiar with the case. “But the full picture will only emerge after forensic and digital evidence is processed.”
Meanwhile, the families of the two victims are preparing for a joint funeral later this week.
“We just want justice,” said a relative. “They were young, full of dreams. This country has become unsafe for women.”
The arrest has brought a measure of relief to Mamelodi, but also a painful reminder of South Africa’s ongoing struggle with gender-based violence.
According to recent police data, more than 900 women were murdered in the first half of 2025 alone, a figure that continues to rise despite public awareness campaigns and stricter legislation.
As the case heads to court, community leaders are calling for justice that matches the severity of the crime.
“We’ve seen too many cases where suspects are granted bail and return to terrorise their victims,” said Machete. “This time, it must be different.”
For now, Tebogo Mnisi remains behind bars — a name now tied to one of Mamelodi’s darkest weekends.
Police have encouraged anyone with further information about the case to contact Crime Stop on 0800 10111 or submit anonymous tips via the MySAPS app.
The community waits — grieving, furious, and united in one demand: Justice for Tshiamo and Baleseng.
