The estranged husband of 23-year-old Boitumelo Mashita, who was shot and killed in Thembisa on Monday morning, has been found dead inside his vehicle in Midrand.

Gauteng police said on Monday that the man had been identified as a person of interest in the murder and that investigators had been tracing him after linking him to Mashita’s death.

Mashita was shot at about 5.45 am in Mapungubwe Street, Temong, Thembisa, while she was reportedly on her way to work.

Police initially opened a murder and robbery case after Mashita’s belongings were taken during the shooting.

However, the investigation took a new turn when the man identified as her estranged husband was traced to Midrand.

“The investigating team has linked the man, who was Boitumelo’s estranged husband, to her murder. He was identified as a person of interest in the case, and the SAPS Tembisa Tracking Team had been tracing him,” Gauteng police said.

Midrand police subsequently informed the investigating team that the man’s vehicle had been found within their policing precinct with his body inside.

Police said it was believed that he may have ingested an unknown substance. No foul play was suspected at this stage.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the exact cause of his death, while Midrand police will register an inquest case.

Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said earlier that no arrests had been made and investigators were following up on leads.

“Preliminary investigations have not established any link between this incident and the recent cases involving the bodies of women found in Ekurhuleni,” Muridili said.

Mashita’s family, however, said they suspected from the beginning that someone close to her could be responsible.

Her aunt and uncle said the family had previously held meetings about Mashita’s relationship with her estranged husband and were aware of problems between the couple.

The aunt said the couple had quarrelled and that the family had become concerned about their relationship.

Mashita leaves behind a young son.

Her aunt said the child returned from school after his mother’s death and saw some of his parents’ belongings at the place where the couple had lived.

“He asked if the father will come and fetch them,” she said.

The family’s suspicions are now part of the investigation following the discovery of the man’s body, although police have not said that he has been formally established as Mashita’s killer.

Mashita’s killing comes amid heightened concern over the deaths of women in Ekurhuleni. Police have been investigating a series of cases involving women whose bodies were found in different parts of the municipality since July.

The latest wider investigation was intensified after a woman’s body was discovered at Mooifontein Cemetery in Thembisa South on September 26. Police said that discovery brought the number of women’s bodies found in Ekurhuleni during the period to 10.

A specialised multidisciplinary team has been deployed to investigate the cases, but police have repeatedly cautioned that individual cases should not automatically be considered linked without evidence.

Police are appealing to anyone with information about Mashita’s murder to contact their nearest police station, Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information through the MySAPS App.