Police in Limpopo have launched a manhunt and appealed for information following the murder of a 57-year-old woman whose body was discovered inside a house in Matipane outside Tzaneen on Saturday, 12 September 2026.

The victim has been identified as Maphoko Malatji. Her body was found in a pool of blood, prompting an immediate investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Identification Of Person Of Interest

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the manhunt and publicly called for a named individual to come forward. The police are specifically appealing to Simon Makeya to present himself to assist with the ongoing investigation.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) is therefore, appealing to Simon Makeya to come forward and present himself to the police to assist with the ongoing investigation. Members of the public who may know his whereabouts or may assist with the investigation are urged to immediately report such information to the police,” Colonel Ledwaba said.

The exact nature of the relationship between the deceased and Mr Makeya has not yet been confirmed by authorities. The police have also not released details regarding the cause of death or the circumstances leading up to the incident.

National Context Of Gender-Based Violence

This incident in the rural outskirts of Tzaneen is being treated as an isolated case, distinct from other high-profile investigations into multiple female homicides currently underway in other provinces. It occurs against a backdrop of heightened national concern over violence against women.

Government ministers and civil society organisations have repeatedly raised alarms about the safety of women in both public and private spaces across South Africa. The call for public assistance in the Matipane case reflects the SAPS’s reliance on community cooperation to solve violent crimes, especially in rural areas where investigative resources may be stretched.