The peaceful neighborhood of Boikhutsong in Mabopane was shaken by violence on the evening of July 20 when 32-year-old Lesego Masina was shot and killed in what appears to have been a deliberate attack.
According to the Masina family, three armed men wearing balaclavas broke into their home during a power outage around 8 p.m. The intruders, carrying flashlights and guns, tied up seven family members before searching the house. What alarmed the family most was that the attackers seemed to know their names and were looking for someone in particular—Lesego.
She was pulled into a bedroom and shot in the head at close range. The suspects left with only two cell phones and a small amount of cash, raising doubts that robbery was the real motive.
Before her death, Lesego had reportedly received threats. In February, an anonymous letter addressed to her warned her to “stay away from my man” and included two bullets. A phone call to her mother later reinforced the threat. The family says they reported the incident but claim police did not take sufficient action.
Lesego’s father, Paulous Masina, believes the attack was personal. “They came for her. This wasn’t about money—it was planned,” he said during her funeral on July 27 in Soshanguve.
Lesego, described as a loving mother and devoted churchgoer, is survived by her young daughter and grieving family.
Police are investigating the case as a murder and robbery, but no arrests have been made so far. Community members are demanding justice, criticizing what they see as a lack of police response to prior threats.
As the investigation continues, residents are left wondering how such a targeted killing could happen—and whether more could have been done to stop it.