A wave of shock and grief swept through the Atlantis community this week following the fatal shooting of local activist and civic leader Moses Matiso. The 32-year-old was gunned down at his place of worship on Monday morning, in what authorities and community members strongly suspect to be a targeted assassination.
Matiso, known for his unwavering dedication to uplifting his community, was serving as the chairperson of the South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO) JS Masakala Branch in Witsand, a position he assumed less than a year ago. His leadership tenure, though brief, left a lasting impact on residents who now grapple with the reality of his violent death.
The incident occurred on 31 March 2025 on Ngonyama Street in Witsand, Atlantis. According to official reports, two unidentified gunmen entered the church premises and opened fire on Matiso, fatally wounding him before fleeing the scene. Medical personnel declared him dead on-site.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that law enforcement is treating the case as a murder and has launched an active investigation.
“Atlantis police registered a murder case for investigation following a shooting incident on Monday, 31 March 2025, in Ngonyama Street, Witsand, Atlantis, in which a 32-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded,”
Sergeant Twigg stated.
“Police members responded to a complaint of a shooting at a church and upon arrival on the scene they found the victim with gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,”
he added.
“According to reports two unknown gunmen entered the premises and started shooting at the victim before fleeing the scene. The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation.”
The SANCO JS Masakala Branch issued a public statement lamenting the loss of a man they described as a committed and principled figure. They have linked the assassination to Matiso’s outspoken stance against crime and the criminal underworld that has entrenched itself in the community.
“On Monday, March 31, 2025, he was brutally shot dead at his church located on the corner of Mnga and Mnama Street, Witsand, Atlantis. This heinous act is believed to be linked to many criminal syndicates that have been targeting him ever since he pledged to fight against crime in our community,”
the statement read.
“Many of these criminals had been arrested since 2024 but were repeatedly granted bail, allowing them to continue their reign of terror. The failure of the justice system to keep them behind bars has now resulted in this devastating loss.”
The statement further called for accountability and urgent action from state institutions.
“We call on Law Enforcement agencies to act swiftly in apprehending those responsible and demand a thorough investigation into the judicial failures that enabled this tragedy. Our community will not be silenced and we will continue to fight for justice and a crime free Witsand.”
The tragedy has also drawn the attention of Western Cape authorities. Anroux Marais, the provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, expressed deep concern over the killing.
“I condemn the senseless killing of Moses Matiso in the strongest terms. I call on the South African Police Service to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book,”
she said.
As investigations continue, residents of Atlantis are left with many unanswered questions. Why was Matiso targeted so brazenly in a place of worship? What protection exists for other community leaders who dare to speak out against criminal elements? And how effective is the justice system if repeat offenders can so easily re-enter the streets?
These concerns have reignited long-standing frustrations with the country’s criminal justice processes, particularly around the ease with which individuals suspected of serious crimes are granted bail. Many locals believe that the cycle of crime and violence will only be broken once deeper systemic issues are addressed.
Sergeant Twigg has appealed to the public to come forward with any information that could aid the investigation.
“Anyone with any information about this shooting incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111,”
he urged.
For now, the streets of Witsand remain tense, with community members mourning a man many regarded not just as a leader, but as a brother, a voice of reason, and a symbol of resistance against the criminal forces that continue to plague their daily lives.
