Crime riddles Mamelodi in 2025

Mamelodi continues to make headlines and is now being recognised as one of the country’s major gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) hotspots, facing persistently high levels of violence against women and children.

Such incidents include rape cases and attacks, which have led to the courts handing out hefty sentences to perpetrators.

However, Mamelodi is not all about bad news, there is good news as well.

The recent tragedy involving the murders of cousins Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga in October 2025 who were shot and killed by a jealous boyfriend has sparked renewed outrage and demands for GBVF to be treated as a national emergency, as well as residents calling for the return of the death penalty.

‘Enough is enough’: Mamelodi marchers demand death penalty return

Frustrated residents took to the streets outside the court, calling for action over GBV and the reinstatement of the death penalty for offenders.

Residents and organisations protested, asking the court not to grant bail to double-murder accused Tebogo Mnisi (38), who shot and killed Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga, and restore the death penalty.

Mnisi decided to abandon his bail request and remain in custody.

The matter was postponed to January 19, 2026, as the investigation needs to be completed before the state is ready to go to trial.

The police arrested Mnisi on October 27 in connection with two counts of murder and attempted murder in Mamelodi East, Ext 17 on October 26.

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said that the investigation revealed that a third victim, who was shot during the incident, is receiving medical treatment.

Mnisi is facing five charges: two for premeditated murder, and one each for attempted murder, possession of live ammunition, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Mamelodi traffic official to serve life behind bars for wife’s murder

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentence of life imprisonment and an additional seven years’ direct imprisonment handed down by the Pretoria High Court to Gauteng Provincial Traffic official, Zakhele Bennet Hlongwane (53), from Mamelodi on November 7.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Hlongwane received a life sentence for the premeditated murder of his wife, Tili Desire Ngobeni (33), five years for pointing a firearm, and two years for malicious property damage.

On April 1, 2024, at around 05:00, the accused went to the deceased’s home in Mamelodi.

On arrival, Hlongwane broke open her door and began to shoot her multiple times in the presence of their five- and three-year-old children.

Mahanjana said the cousin of the deceased heard the gunshots, came out of his room, and the accused threatened him by pointing his firearm at him.

An hour later, Hlongwane handed himself over to the Mamelodi Police Station and has been in custody since the NPA successfully opposed his release on bail.

In court, Hlongwane pleaded guilty to the murder and pointing of a firearm, claiming he was overwhelmed by anger and did not plan to kill his wife.

However, State Advocate Vusimuzi Tshabalala argued that as a law enforcement officer, husband, and father, Hlongwane was expected to uphold the law and protect his family, but instead betrayed their trust, violated the deceased’s right to life and traumatised his children.

Metro successfully restores continuous water supply to Ikageng residents

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro was pleased to share positive progress with residents of Ikageng, Mamelodi East, who have been enjoying over four months of uninterrupted water supply.

Mashigo said this milestone follows nearly two years of intermittent service and marks a significant victory in the city’s ongoing efforts to restore stability and reliability to the local water network.

Ikageng residents experienced fluctuating water supply due to a complex set of challenges linked to illegal connections to the Mamelodi R3 and R4 reservoirs in 2023 and early 2024.

Mashigo said these unlawful connections, traced mainly to the Marry Me and Phase 1 informal settlements that had tapped directly into the incoming Rand Water pipeline, prevented the R4 Reservoir from filling up to the correct levels.

Mashigo said to bring lasting relief, the city embarked on a rigorous programme to identify, secure and restore the system.

“All illegal connections were systematically removed and the windows of the R3 and R4 reservoirs were sealed with welded steel sheets to prevent repeated tampering,” he said.

City engineers also found and fixed another leak on the outgoing pipeline from the R4 Reservoir to Ikageng, a fault that had gone undetected due to frequent system shutdowns and low reservoir levels.

Mamelodi youth leader joins global gender equality network

A 20-year-old from Mamelodi was appointed a member of the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network (CYGEN).

CEO of Mosetsana Pads, Neo Mohlabeng-Cholo from Mamelodi East Ext 6, was appointed for his outstanding advocacy and entrepreneurial drive to this network that brings together young experts from across 56 member nations to promote youth voices in gender equality discussions at local, national, and international levels.

It focuses on ensuring that the concerns of young people and the communities they represent are heard at the highest levels.

Cholo will serve in this role until the age of 30, contributing a decade of dedicated service to advancing gender equality across the Commonwealth.

Mohlabeng-Cholo is an entrepreneur, internationally acclaimed author of three books, and a sought-after speaker from Mamelodi.

He wrote his first book, The Journey, based on his true life story at the age of 16 as a Grade 11 learner at Ribane Laka Secondary School.

As founder of Mosetsana Pads, he leads initiatives to fight menstrual stigma and ensure inclusive access to essential health products.

He said the CYGEN appointment is a call to deeper service.

Boschkop constable kills nephew, then himself in Mamelodi hostage drama

An ordeal that began as a family dispute in the morning ended just before midnight when an officer turned his service weapon on his own nephew before taking his own life.

The hostage situation in Mamelodi East ended in tragedy on Tuesday, September 9, when a Boschkop police constable killed his 18-year-old nephew before turning the gun on himself.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the incident began around 08:00 after Mamelodi east police responded to reports of a family dispute at their Buffelpeer Street, Bavazone home.

“Upon interviewing witnesses, it was established the constable fired two shots before the police arrived on the scene and he was refusing to let his 69-year-old mother and 18-year-old nephew out of the house,” said Muridili.

She added that it was later confirmed that only three people were inside the house, including the constable.

Hostage negotiators managed to secure the release of the constable’s elderly mother at around 23:00.

“She was treated by paramedics on the scene before being transported to hospital,” explained Muridili.

The situation reached its devastating conclusion shortly before midnight, just as Special Task Force members were preparing to enter the house tactically.

Negotiators were still engaging with the officer when two gunshots rang out from inside.

“Upon entering, the STF members found the body of the constable. As they searched further, they discovered the body of the constable’s nephew with gunshot wounds.”

The dead officer was identified as 32-year-old Constable Thapelo Mashigo.

He was stationed at Boschkop police station and at the time of the incident was deployed to the regional Essential Infrastructure Task Team.

Mashigo had been an officer in the police service since 2019.

“A case of murder, kidnapping, and an inquest will be opened at Mamelodi East police station, while the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also been informed.”

Police encourage learners to play chess to combat social ills in schools

Playing chess helps improve the memory of learners in terms of planning, thinking, conflict resolution, discipline, and boosting their confidence, according to Solomon Mahlangu Freedom School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson Chris Mahlangu.

Gauteng police have introduced chess as a new way to combat bullying, drugs and gambling at local schools.

Gauteng SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, through the Chinese business community, handed over chessboards and marimba instruments to learners at the school in Mamelodi on Wednesday.

Police, together with the South African Chinese community, also donated wheelchairs, printers, two water dispensers and 40 boxes of paper to help the school with its daily activities.

Addressing learners, Mthombeni advised them to stay engaged in sports and positive activities to steer them clear of crime.

He said participating in different sports activities, including chess, helps learners a lot, especially with concentration and memory, as most have a tough time concentrating in class.

“The aim of the project is to use sports to prevent learners from being involved in criminal activity as well.”

Police investigate murder of Mamelodi councillor

While police were investigating the killing of Ward 10 Councillor Thabang Masemola on July 8, political parties and local organisations called on law enforcement to act swiftly in bringing the perpetrators to book.

Masemola was gunned down by an unknown man outside a tuck shop on the main road in Stoffel Park in the far east of Mamelodi that afternoon.

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Marinda Austin, said Masemola had just bought a new car, and said he had a desire to show it to his companion and take it for a test drive.

She said the pair decided to buy food and stopped in Malapana Street to speak with another friend.

Austin said that during their conversation, an unknown man, wearing a jacket with a hoodie approached the victim, produced a firearm, and without any warning, pointed it at Masemola, and fired several shots.

Following the shooting the suspect got into a car, and left the scene.

Austin said emergency services were summoned, and when they arrived, the victim was assessed and then declared dead.

“The police will closely follow all leads as part of the ongoing investigation,” she said.

The shooting opened up old memories of other councillors, who fell to gun violence, including Siphiwe Montlha of Ward 37 in Soshanguve, Esther Motumane of Ward 19 in Winterveldt, and Tshepo Motaung of Ward 22 in Mabopane.

Ward 10 residents in Mamelodi East later held a by-election in which ANC councillor Isaac Sekele was elected as the new councillor.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel