SAPS Hunts Simiso Phakathi for Murder of Girlfriend in Orlando East, Soweto

SAPS Hunts Simiso Phakathi for Murder of Girlfriend in Orlando East, Soweto

  • SAPS is searching for 27-year-old Simiso Silomo Phakathi after his 37-year-old girlfriend was found stabbed to death in Orlando East
  • Jabulisile Josephina Tshabalala's body was discovered on 13 August 2026, nearly a week after she was last seen alive
  • A warrant of arrest has been issued, and police are urging anyone with information on Phakathi's whereabouts to come forward
The South African Police Service is searching for Simiso Phakathi for allegedly killing his girlfriend
Simiso Phakathi allegedly killed his girlfriend. Images: Tshepiso Mametela/Briefly News and South African Police Service/ Facebook
Source: UGC

GAUTENG — The South African Police Service is searching for a 27-year-old man suspected of murdering his live-in girlfriend in Orlando East, Soweto, as part of a broader crackdown on gender-based violence during Women's Month.

According to SAPS, Simiso Silomo Phakathi is wanted in connection with the death of 37-year-old Jabulisile Josephina Tshabalala. She was last seen alive on 7 August 2026. Six days later, on 13 August 2026, her body was found inside the backroom they shared, stabbed to death and concealed beneath blankets and clothing.

Warrant issued, suspect considered dangerous

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A J50 warrant of arrest for murder has been issued against Phakathi. SAPS has publicly called on him to turn himself in at the nearest police station without delay, warning that investigators will continue following leads until he appears before a court. Authorities have classified Phakathi as dangerous and have cautioned members of the public against sheltering or assisting him in any way. SAPS reiterated that violence against women will not be tolerated. Anyone with information on Phakathi's whereabouts is asked to contact Warrant Officer Zwane directly on 082 455 8572, reach out through the Crime Stop hotline, or submit a tip via the MySAPS App.

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Women's Month crackdown on GBV suspects

The search for Phakathi forms part of a wider operational focus by SAPS during August, which South Africa marks as Women's Month. Police have indicated they are intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend suspects wanted for gender-based violence and femicide across the country. Recently, a Northern Cape man was imprisoned for raping a woman in front of her 2-year-old child.

Read the statement on Facebook here:

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tebogo Mokwena avatar

Tebogo Mokwena (Current Affairs editor) Tebogo Mokwena is a senior current affairs writer at Briefly News. With a Diploma in Journalism from ALISON, he has a strong background in digital journalism, having completed training with the Google News Initiative. He began his career as a journalist at Daily Sun, where he worked for four years before becoming a sub-editor and journalist at Capricorn Post. He then joined Vutivi Business News in 2020 before moving to Briefly News in 2023. Email: tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za