Aubrey Tau Foundation donates R250,000 to family of Mamelodi East murder victims

The Aubrey Tau Foundation has announced it would donate R250,000 to the family of two young women from Mamelodi East, Extension 17, who were found shot dead on Sunday morning.

On Monday, police made a breakthrough in the case, arresting a 38-year-old man in connection with the double murder at a petrol station in Pretoria. 

The victims are Tshiamo Moramaga, 22, and Baleseng Moramaga, 21. 

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said he faces charges of murder.

In addition to murder, the suspect also faces an attempted murder charge after police revealed that a third victim, who was shot during the incident, was receiving medical treatment in the hospital.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Mamelodi Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. 

The Aubrey Tau Foundation applauded the police for their swift response and action.

Following the murder, the Foundation placed a R250,000 reward on offer for any tip-offs that could lead to the successful arrest of the criminals.

“With the swift response by SAPS, the Foundation will now donate the said amount, R250,000, towards the families of Tshiamo Moramaga and Baleseng Moragama,” it said.

Aubrey Tau, CEO and Founder of Moja Love said: "Whilst the amount will not bring back the young women who had bright futures ahead of them, we as the Foundation, Moja LOVE, DSTV 157, Moja LOVE, DSTV 158 ("Moja 99"), and all employees of the Channel would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones. We hope and pray that the NPA will swiftly ensure that Justice is done in this matter," said Aubrey Tau, CEO and Founder of Moja Love.

Tshiamo's mother, Itumeleng Moramaga, said they were heartbroken following the death of her daughter and niece. 

Baleseng is her sister's daughter. 

She said the victims lived together in Mamelodi, where they rented a room.

“My eldest sister called me in the morning, telling me about this incident, that I had to rush there. I asked what happened, and she just said the kids got hurt. I was shocked because my daughter had recently visited me,” she said.

When she arrived at the scene, she was met with the devastating news that the two young women had been shot dead.

“When I arrived there, I found that they had died, and they were already inside the forensic vehicle. I asked to see them, and when I did, I saw that it was them - they had been shot,” she said tearfully.

The distraught mother said she is still struggling to come to terms with the loss.

“I’m so hurt. I’m shattered because she was the only daughter I had. I’m now left with two sons. I don’t know what happened, or what could have led to them being killed in such a brutal way, especially while they were together,” she said, tears running down her face.

“The neighbours said they heard arguments and gunshots around 4 am, on the street,” she said.

According to the neighbours, Tshiamo was heard arguing with her alleged boyfriend, she said.

“Neighbours said they heard the boyfriend telling my daughter, ‘You will push me to make mistakes.’ It was after that when they heard the gunshots,” the grieving mother said.

She added that a message found on Baleseng’s phone showed that the two had been communicating shortly before the shooting, but Tshiamo’s phone was missing and may have been stolen.

“They grew up together like twins,” she said. “They went to crèche together, and they even loved wearing the same clothes since childhood.”

The heartbroken mother said the last time she saw her daughter was on Saturday.

“She came on Friday to install a weave for me because I was going to a function, and she left on Saturday. She was studying beauty therapy, nails, and hair,” she said.

She said Baleseng was a third-year Bachelor of Education student at the University of South Africa (Unisa).

“We are shattered as a family. We never expected such a tragic thing to happen to them. The pain I am feeling now, I can’t even wish for my enemy,” she said. 

“We want justice for them. Women and children are getting killed every day. We want the police to get to the bottom of this and find out what happened.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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