The community of Mitchells Plain was left in shock and mourning this past weekend as a wave of gun violence tore through its streets, claiming the lives of six people. Police confirmed that five of the victims were shot and killed, while one person was injured. Among those who lost their lives were 18-year-old matriculant Abdul Muizz Diedericks and father of five, Diego Soldaat, whose deaths have sparked renewed calls for peace in an area long haunted by gang-related bloodshed.
Public relations officer for the Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum, Linda Jones, expressed the community’s exhaustion and anger over the ongoing violence.
Jones, echoing the frustration of many residents, urged local leaders and law enforcement to strengthen efforts to restore order, saying genoeg is genoeg — enough is enough.
Saturday Night Carnage In Tafelsig
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that two men were killed in Grey Street, Tafelsig, on Saturday night, 11 October 2025, around 8pm.
According to police, the two men, aged 42 and 48, were sitting on the pavement when unknown suspects approached and opened fire before fleeing the area.
The chilling incident came only hours after another killing, deepening the community’s despair.
Earlier Shooting At Bus Terminus
At approximately 6pm on Saturday evening, a 45-year-old man was shot and killed at the Mitchells Plain bus terminus. Witnesses told police that the victim was approached by an unidentified gunman who fired several shots before escaping in a silver Volkswagen Polo.
Twigg said detectives are probing the case.
Residents nearby described scenes of chaos and panic as commuters scrambled for safety, another reminder of how violence has seeped into the ordinary spaces of daily life.
Sunday Shooting Adds To The Toll
The bloodshed continued into Sunday when another man was shot and wounded in Austin Street, Beacon Valley, around 12:30pm. The 28-year-old victim was rushed to a medical facility in a private vehicle.
Twigg confirmed that police are investigating an attempted murder case.
This latest attack underscored how entrenched violence has become across Mitchells Plain, spreading from one suburb to the next despite ongoing police operations.
Families Plead For Change
The deaths of Diedericks and Soldaat have sent shockwaves through Mitchells Plain, where many say they are living in fear. Diedericks, a young student with his future ahead of him, and Soldaat, a father working to provide for his family, have become symbols of a community torn apart by bullets.
Local leaders have renewed their appeal for coordinated policing efforts and community involvement to end the killings. Many residents are demanding stronger interventions from the South African Police Service and government departments to tackle gang activity, drug trade, and socio-economic issues fuelling the violence.
