Cape Town Pastor Anthea Wilkinson Dies After Violent Smash-and-Grab Attack

PrimeTime News Desk Published 7 seconds ago

9 min read

Add PrimeTime News as a preferred source on Google

Pastor Anthea Wilkinson, a leader at Jesus Celebration International (JCI), has died after suffering critical head injuries during an alleged smash-and-grab attack near Samora Machel in Cape Town.

Wilkinson died in hospital on Saturday, 24 October 2026, almost two weeks after the incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, 11 October. Police have opened a murder investigation, and no arrests had been reported as of 27 October.

Attack Near R300 and Jakes Gerwel Road

According to Western Cape police, the incident occurred at approximately 19:45 at the intersection of the R300 and Jakes Gerwel Road.

Wilkinson was travelling as a passenger in a white Ford Figo with another woman, who was driving the vehicle. The two women were in the area when the driver heard a loud bang coming from the left passenger-side window shortly after turning into Jakes Gerwel Road.

The driver then discovered that Wilkinson was bleeding from the left side of her head and was unconscious.

The circumstances surrounding the impact and the events immediately leading up to it remain subject to police investigation.

Wilkinson Rushed for Medical Treatment

Following the incident, the driver took Wilkinson to Philippi police station to seek assistance.

Both women subsequently received medical attention. The driver was treated for trauma, while Wilkinson required further medical treatment because of the severity of her injuries.

She was transferred to another nearby hospital for continued treatment.

Despite receiving medical care, Wilkinson later died from her injuries on 24 October, leaving her family, church and wider community mourning her loss.

Church Confirms Pastor’s Death

Jesus Celebration International confirmed Wilkinson’s death in a statement shared on social media.

In a message signed by church leader Dr J Swartz, Wilkinson was remembered as one of the church’s most loved leaders.

The church expressed its grief over her passing and called for justice following the incident.

Her death has left members of the congregation mourning the loss of a leader who held an important place within their church community.

Family Requests Privacy

Wilkinson’s daughter, Tarquin, appealed for privacy as the family comes to terms with the loss.

She explained that the family had received several enquiries about her mother’s death but asked that they be allowed time to deal with the memorial and funeral arrangements before responding further.

The family said they were still trying to process the loss and navigate what she described as an unimaginable period of grief.

The request comes as the investigation continues and the family prepares to say its final goodbyes.

Police Investigate Murder

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Frederick van Wyk confirmed that Samora Machel police had registered cases of murder, malicious damage to property and common assault in connection with the incident.

The murder investigation follows Wilkinson’s death from the injuries she sustained during the attack.

Police had not announced any arrests as of 27 October, and investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

Authorities have appealed to members of the public who may have information that could assist investigators to come forward.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Source information: Western Cape police statements and publicly reported information from Jesus Celebration International and Wilkinson’s family.

OTHER NEWS

WATCH: Dashcam Footage Shows Woman and Three Others Allegedly Robbing E-Hailing Driver

A dashcam video appears to show an e-hailing driver being targeted by a group of four suspects during a ride pickup, with a woman appearing to play a role in the incident.

The footage shows how the situation escalates after the woman enters the vehicle, followed by a male suspect who takes a seat behind her. The driver is seated behind the steering wheel and appears to be using his cellphone while waiting for the passengers.

According to the footage, the woman appears to communicate with another suspect standing across the road. She seemingly nods in his direction, although the video alone does not establish what was communicated or whether the interaction was part of a planned robbery.

The incident unfolds moments later when the male passenger seated behind the woman appears to pull the vehicle’s handbrake without the driver’s knowledge.

The driver subsequently appears to realise that something is wrong and struggles to release the handbrake. As he attempts to deal with the situation, the woman reaches for his cellphone.

Two additional suspects then join the confrontation, leaving the driver outnumbered.

With the group closing in, the driver opens his door and runs away from the vehicle, apparently prioritising his safety over his belongings. The footage shows the suspects attempting to take items from the vehicle as he escapes.

The video captures the sequence of events from the initial pickup to the driver’s escape. However, it does not independently establish the identities of the people involved or confirm whether the incident was planned in advance.

The location and date of the incident have not been confirmed. It is also not known whether any suspects have been arrested or whether a criminal case has been opened in connection with the robbery.

No further verified details about the driver’s condition, the items taken or the circumstances surrounding the incident are currently available.

The incident highlights the potential risks e-hailing drivers face when collecting passengers whose identities and intentions may not be immediately known to them. However, the available footage does not establish whether the people involved used a particular e-hailing platform or whether any additional security measures were in place.

Dashcam Captures Woman and Three Others Robbing E-Hailing Driver https://t.co/W4Ecs4IQMT
— PrimeTime News (@PrimeTimeNewsZA) October 28, 2026

The investigation status remains unclear, and further information from police or other reliable sources would be needed to establish where and when the incident occurred and whether those allegedly involved have been identified.

OTHER NEWS

Man Dies After Allegedly Jumping From 16th Floor of Pretoria Hotel

A man has died after allegedly jumping from the 16th floor of the Capital Trilogy Residence Hotel near Menlyn Maine in Pretoria on Tuesday morning, 27 October 2026.

Police have opened an inquest into the incident, which was reported at the hotel shortly after 10:00.

According to police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, Brooklyn police officers were called to the scene shortly after 10:00 and found the man’s body on the ground floor of the hotel.

The man had sustained injuries to his face and lower body. Paramedics examined him at the scene and declared him dead.

Hotel Staff Reportedly Found a Suicide Note

Information about the circumstances leading up to the incident indicates that a hotel cleaner had approached the man at approximately 10:00 to remind him that he was required to check out.

The man reportedly agreed to check out shortly afterwards.

Approximately 10 minutes later, the cleaner allegedly returned and came across a suicide note.

Police confirmed that the man had last been seen alive on the hotel’s 16th floor. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.

Police Investigation

An inquest has been opened to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. An inquest allows authorities to investigate a death and determine the relevant facts surrounding how it occurred.

The man’s identity and age have not been confirmed in the available information. No further details about his background or the circumstances that may have preceded the incident have been made public.

The investigation is ongoing.

OTHER NEWS

Akilesh Gupta Back in Court Over Fatal Lichtenburg Mall Crash That Killed Crime Intelligence Officer

Akilesh Gupta, a 23-year-old Pakistani national accused of killing South African Police Service (SAPS) Warrant Officer Eunice Nortman in a collision at Lichtenburg Mall in North West, has had his case postponed to 6 November 2026.

Gupta appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 27 October, where the matter was postponed to allow the State additional time to secure a qualified Hindi-speaking interpreter for the accused.

Gupta is expected to bring a formal bail application when he returns to court. He remains in custody pending his next appearance.

The case follows the death of Nortman, a 53-year-old police officer attached to the North West Provincial Crime Intelligence unit in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. She died after being struck by a vehicle at Lichtenburg Mall on Monday, 19 October 2026.

Officer Killed at Lichtenburg Mall

The incident occurred at Lichtenburg Mall on Dr Nelson Mandela Drive in Lichtenburg while Nortman was on duty.

According to police information released following the incident, Nortman was crossing the mall’s driveway when she was allegedly struck by a BMW sports utility vehicle.

Emergency medical services transported her to hospital for treatment. However, she succumbed to her injuries later that evening.

Her death prompted a police investigation, with authorities treating the matter as a murder case. Police also confirmed that further charges relating to an alleged contravention of immigration legislation were being pursued.

Suspect Arrested Following Investigation

Gupta was arrested following preliminary investigations into the circumstances surrounding Nortman’s death.

He first appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 21 October, and was remanded in custody until his subsequent appearance.

The investigation centres on the circumstances surrounding the collision and the events that led to the officer sustaining fatal injuries.

The murder charge remains an allegation that must be dealt with through the criminal justice process. Gupta is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Court Proceedings Postponed to November

During Gupta’s latest court appearance on 27 October, the matter was postponed to 6 November to give the State time to arrange a qualified Hindi-speaking interpreter.

The interpreter is required to assist with the court proceedings and ensure that the accused can understand the matter before the court.

Gupta is expected to formally apply for bail at his next appearance. The outcome of any bail application will depend on the proceedings before the court.

The case has not yet reached a final determination, and the investigation into Nortman’s death remains ongoing.

Police Urge Public Not to Circulate CCTV Footage

CCTV footage of the incident has circulated on social media, drawing public attention to the circumstances surrounding Nortman’s death.

Police have appealed to members of the public not to share footage of the incident online, warning that the circulation of such material could compromise the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have emphasised the importance of allowing investigators to establish the facts and ensuring that the case proceeds through the appropriate legal channels.

The next court appearance is scheduled for 6 November 2026, when the proceedings are expected to continue and Gupta is expected to pursue his formal bail application.