MOULANA MURDERED - Pagad responds to call to action after Mitchells Plain moulana is shot eight times

A MOULANA was gunned down on Wednesday evening in New Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, on the first night of Ramadan after returning home from prayers at mosque.

In a statement issued by the Darul Ulama Association in the Western Cape, they stated that the Muslim community are deeply saddened by the passing of Moulana Mustaqeem Wanza.

According to reports, the incident occurred as the Moulana was leading Salatul Taraweegh prayers at the Salaamudien Masjid in New Lentegeur.

They said: “After proceeding to the house of one of his colleagues, a white polo allegedly stopped and shot Moulana Saheb eight times in Candy Tuft Street in New Lentegeur, and he was declared dead on the scene.”

He was described as a respected alum (scholar) whose guidance and beautiful rendition of the Holy Quran with his melodious voice touched the hearts of Muslims across the global spectrum.

They added: “We urge the Ummah (Muslim community) to refrain from speculation, hearsay and the sharing of unverified information on social media but rather to honour his memory through Du’a (supplication) and by supporting his grieving families.”

Meanwhile, the Masjied said at this stage the Masjid Imaamat and Committee do not have further details regarding the incident and cannot comment; however extended their heartfelt condolences to the Moulana’s family, loved ones, and broader community.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said: "Kindly be advised that on Wednesday, 18 February 2026,  Lentegeur police responded to reports of a shooting in Candy Tuff Street, New Lentegeur. Upon arrival, they found the body of a 33-year-old male lying on the street .

“According to reports, the deceased was leaving the mosque at around 22:55, and he was gunned down by unknown men. The motive for the shooting is yet to be determined.”

Lentegeur Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson Michael Jacobs said that they strongly condemn the killing and called on the community to volunteer any information to assist with finding the perpetrators. 

Jacobs said: “We call on the police and the detective services to put everything in your power in order to get to the bottom of the killing. The Moulana was a leader within the community and a role model to young people of faith.”

Meanwhile, People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) National Coordinator Haroon Orrie told the Daily Voice that members were on the scene, and there have been appeals by community members for them to come out in response to the incident.

Orrie said: “We are going to mobilise and speak to the areas and necessary authorities to come together and see what we can do.”

While it is the Holy Month, he added that the shootings will not stop as skollies and gunmen have no respect for who gets killed.

He added: “We must respect the sacredness of the month and the fasting, but we must also be very realistic about the reality of life. We cannot say because it is the month of fasting, that whatever happens now that we are not going to respond or mobilise.

“If you can avoid anything that can harm your spiritual growth during Ramadan, you should do so. 

“But we live in a time when people don’t respect anyone anymore. There are no boundaries for criminals, and if it means we must mobilise, it doesn’t prevent us from applying our minds.”

Anyone with information is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, alternatively, utilise the MySAPS mobile application.