Pamela Mabini shot dead outside her home in KwaZakhele
Pamela Mabini, Activist Linked to Omotoso Case, Gunned Down in Gqeberha
GQEBERHA, South Africa — Pamela Mabini, a prominent community activist and entrepreneur known for her fearless advocacy for crime victims and vulnerable groups, was shot dead outside her home in KwaZakhele on March 7, 2025. The 46-year-old founder of the Maro Foundation was found slumped in her white Chevrolet SS Lumina bakkie on Tshauka Street at approximately 10:30 AM, her life cut short by unknown assailants. The killing has reignited fears of targeted violence against activists in Nelson Mandela Bay, particularly those linked to high-profile cases like the ongoing trial of controversial pastor Timothy Omotoso.
A Life of Service Cut Short
Pamela Mabini’s legacy as a pillar of her community began in 2014 when she abandoned a corporate career to establish the Maro Foundation. The organization provided shelter for abandoned children, support for disabled individuals, and empowerment programs for women and girls. Her efforts earned her the 2023 Daily Dispatch Local Hero Award and widespread admiration. “She didn’t just talk about change—she built it,” said a colleague, referencing her initiatives to distribute food parcels, sanitary pads, and school supplies to marginalized families.
Mabini’s activism also thrust her into the spotlight during the Timothy Omotoso rape trial, where she supported witnesses testifying against the pastor, accused of human trafficking and sexual assault. In 2018, she survived a shooting attempt after receiving death threats, which she attributed to her role in the case. At the time, Mabini claimed individuals tied to Omotoso had offered her millions to manipulate witness testimonies—a charge she reported to authorities (The Citizen, 2018).
A Targeted Attack?
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg confirmed that Mabini sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the attack and that no arrests have been made. Investigators are probing potential motives, including whether her death was tied to her activism. The timing raises alarms: the Omotoso trial, ongoing since 2017, is set for judgment on April 2, 2025.
Local residents and colleagues argue Mabini’s murder was premeditated. “She knew her life was at risk, but she refused to stay silent,” said a friend, citing her relentless advocacy even after the 2018 shooting (SABC News, 2025). Family members, including her cousin Luzuko Gaxamba, described her as the household’s sole breadwinner. “Her death isn’t just a loss for us—it’s a loss for every child she sheltered and every woman she empowered,” Gaxamba told reporters.
Community in Mourning
KwaZakhele residents gathered spontaneously at the Maro Foundation’s headquarters, laying flowers and sharing stories of Mabini’s generosity. “She gave my daughter a safe place to sleep when we had nothing,” said one mourner. Others highlighted her courage in challenging systemic issues, such as her 2022 public dare to then-Police Minister Bheki Cele to “walk these streets without bodyguards” to witness rampant crime firsthand (Scrolla.Africa, 2025).
A Call for Justice
As tributes pour in, activists demand answers. The Women’s Legal Centre urged authorities to treat Mabini’s death as a potential assassination, stressing the dangers faced by whistleblowers in gender-based violence cases. Meanwhile, the Maro Foundation vows to continue her work, though staff admit her absence leaves “shoes too big to fill.”
Pamela Mabini’s funeral is scheduled for March 15, with memorial services planned nationwide. For a community grappling with grief and anger, her killing underscores a harrowing reality: in South Africa, the fight for justice often comes at a deadly cost.
