The murder of well-known Gqeberha activist Pamela Mabini, a whistleblower and activist in the case against Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso, traumatised her mother Cingiwe Mabini so much she had to be admitted to hospital.
When Pamela, 46, was ambushed while seated in her Chevrolet bakkie on Friday at about 11am outside her family home in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, her mother was in the house.
Family spokesperson Luzuko Gaxamba yesterday told Sunday World that his cousin’s murder traumatised the whole family and many people in the area.
He said Pamela’s mother was in the house when she heard gunshots, and when she got outside, she realised that her daughter had been shot dead.
“The whole incident hit Pamela’s mother very hard as she was in the house when her daughter was murdered.
“Pamela was sitting alone in her car just outside the yard when she got shot. We don’t know the motive for the murder, however, we cannot speculate.
“At this stage we trust that the police will do everything in their power to arrest those responsible for her murder,” said Gaxamba.
He said Pamela’s mother was taken to a medical doctor for assessment afterwards.
“Mama was admitted to the medical facility after she saw her daughter’s lifeless body in the car. She is recuperating even though she is still in pain that her daughter, who was also a breadwinner, is no more,” said Gaxamba.
Pamela was known for her philanthropic work through her NPO Maro Foundation, which was a vehicle to help homeless people, donating food, clothes and sanitary towels to the needy.
Gaxamba said an attempt on Pamela’s life was made in 2018, which she survived.
“We are in pain and we really need those behind her murder be brought to book. The whole of Gqeberha is devastated by what happened. She was a great person who had a heart of gold,” Gaxamba said.
Pamela made headlines last year when she challenged the former minister of police Bheki Cele to walk in the area without bodyguards to see if he was still going to be safe without his protectors. Her point to Cele was aimed at showing him that crime was rife in the area.
Pamela was also influential as a well-known activist who was involved in the campaign and protests during the trial of rape accused and Nigerian national Omotoso.
Pamela was a regular presence at the Omotoso trial, where the Nigerian faces a litany of charges, including rape, human trafficking and racketeering.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said they are searching for suspects, adding investigations were ongoing. “We are still working on this case. At the moment nobody has been arrested,” said Van Rensburg.
