Gauteng police have arrested a 38-year-old man in connection with the murder of two cousins in Mamelodi East, following a case that has sparked outrage across Tshwane and drawn urgent calls for action against gender-based violence.

The suspect was apprehended on Monday during a joint operation involving detectives from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit, Provincial Crime Intelligence, and Mamelodi East police. He was arrested at a filling station in Pretoria after investigators received information linking him to the killings of Tshiamo Moramaga, aged 22, and Baleseng Moramaga, aged 21, who were found dead with multiple gunshot wounds near their home on Sompisi Street, Extension 17, in the early hours of Sunday, 26 October 2025.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the arrest and said the operation followed intensive investigation after the discovery of the victims’ bodies. “The team acted on credible information and arrested a 38-year-old man linked to the double murder and the attempted murder of a third victim,” Sibeko said.

Police said a third woman survived the shooting and is receiving medical care at a local hospital. The suspect is expected to appear before the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, facing two counts of murder and one of attempted murder. Police also confirmed that a firearm believed to have been used in the killings was recovered during the arrest.

“The motive for the killings remains under investigation. We are exploring all angles and urge the community to provide any information that can assist detectives in completing their investigation,” Sibeko said.

The murders prompted widespread grief in Mamelodi East and drew the attention of civil society organisations campaigning against violence toward women. NotInMyName International, a global movement advocating for women’s safety, released an official statement on Monday condemning the killings and calling for urgent action to ensure justice.

In the statement, Secretary-General Themba Masango expressed profound grief and outrage at the deaths of Tshiamo and Baleseng, describing the killings as brutal and senseless. “We are in a state of perpetual mourning. The murder of these two young women adds to the devastatingly long list of women and girls who have been killed in South Africa,” the statement read.

NotInMyName International emphasised its solidarity with the Moramaga family and the wider community, highlighting that residents of Mamelodi East, like many across the country, continue to face the reality of violence against women in their own neighbourhoods. The organisation also called for a swift and transparent police investigation, visible law enforcement presence, and immediate psycho-social support for affected families and traumatised communities.

“The women of Mamelodi and South Africa deserve to live without fear. We will continue to monitor this situation, support the family, and hold authorities accountable. We demand justice for Tshiamo and Baleseng. We demand safety for every woman. We demand action now,” Masango said.

Family members described the cousins as inseparable and full of potential. Itumeleng Moramaga, Tshiamo’s mother, said the girls grew up together and shared a strong bond. “They were more than cousins; they were like sisters. Losing them in this way is devastating. We just want to know why this happened,” she said.

Neighbours reported hearing arguments and then gunshots shortly before the bodies were found. Many in the community gathered near the scene to mourn and light candles, reflecting the shock and grief felt across the area. Residents expressed relief that police had made an arrest but reiterated the need for stronger protections against gender-based violence and more visible policing in high-risk areas.

Police warned that investigations are ongoing and that the suspect remains in custody. They continue to appeal to the public to provide information that may assist in uncovering the motive behind the killings and identifying any other possible accomplices.

The arrest of the 38-year-old suspect provides the Moramaga family with a measure of relief, but the loss of Tshiamo and Baleseng underscores the urgent need for South Africa to address the epidemic of violence against women. NotInMyName International and local residents have vowed to continue pressing for justice and improved safety in Mamelodi and other affected areas.