Man sought over Thembisa woman’s murder found dead in Midrand, police say

A man police had been seeking in connection with the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old woman in Thembisa on Monday morning, 28 September, was found dead in a vehicle in Midrand later the same day, according to a police account reported by SABC News.

Investigators had identified the man, described as the woman’s estranged husband, as a person of interest. Police told SABC News that the Thembisa tracking team was looking for him when officers at Midrand police station reported finding his vehicle with a body inside.

The cause of his death has not been established. Police said a post-mortem examination would be conducted. Their preliminary account indicated no suspected foul play, but that assessment is not a final medical finding. No one can now be charged or tried on the basis of the police suspicion alone.

The South African Police Service said earlier on Monday that the woman was shot at about 05:45 in Temong, Thembisa, while reportedly on her way to work. Her belongings were taken. At that stage, police had opened a murder and robbery investigation and said no arrest had been made.

SABC News reported that the victim’s family disputed the initial suggestion that robbery explained the killing. Their account is an allegation, not an established motive. Police have not publicly announced a concluded finding on why she was killed.

SAPS also said its preliminary investigation had found no link between this shooting and the recent cases involving women found dead elsewhere in Ekurhuleni. The death of the person of interest does not, by itself, settle that question or the circumstances of this murder.