Cape Town Mother Devastated After Son Killed Days Before Wedding in Facebook Marketplace Ambush
In a quiet corner of Delft, Cape Town, Zainab Daniels is trying to find solace in the familiar rhythm of making koesisters. The sweet treats are destined for the small shop she runs from her home, but today, the task is also a desperate attempt to distract herself from an unbearable grief. Her son, Mogamat Yusuf Daniels, was brutally murdered just days before he was due to be married, a victim of a callous ambush while trying to sell his iPhone on Facebook Marketplace. The money was intended to help cover his wedding expenses.
It’s the day after what should have been Mogamat and Rafeeqah's wedding day, and the weight of Zainab's anguish is palpable. "Yesterday was the saddest day of my life," she says, her voice thick with sorrow. "I struggled to even get up. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest."
The 29-year-old's life was cut short on Heritage Day, a day meant for celebration and unity. According to reports, Mogamat had enlisted the help of his 45-year-old cousin to list his iPhone 12 Pro Max for R7,000 on Facebook Marketplace, hoping to raise some extra funds for the wedding. Two women responded to the advert, claiming their father was interested in buying the phone.
On the fateful evening, Mogamat, his cousin, and his cousin’s 18-year-old son drove to the agreed meeting point. The location was constantly changed by one of the women via Facebook messages before they finally settled on Ailsa Road in Ottery. Upon arrival, they spotted a white bakkie with two women in the back and a man behind the wheel. As the women approached Mogamat's vehicle to inspect the phone, the driver of the bakkie allegedly approached with a gun, demanding they exit the car and hand over their possessions.
As Mogamat stepped out, the gunman allegedly pressed the weapon against his head. An argument ensued, and in the ensuing chaos, the attacker allegedly shot Mogamat's cousin's 18-year-old son in the leg. Reacting swiftly to protect his passengers, Mogamat drew his licensed firearm and returned fire. Tragically, during the shootout, Mogamat was shot multiple times in the face and died at the scene.
Back at home, Zainab was preparing dinner when she received the devastating news from Mogamat’s fiancée, Rafeeqah. "I immediately asked her where he was shot, how many times, but she couldn’t answer because she was crying," Zainab recalls, her voice breaking. "I too was screaming, crying and pacing around the house."
Alone and consumed by panic, Zainab desperately called relatives, urging them to rush to the meeting place and check on Mogamat. Shortly after, she received the confirmation she had been dreading – a call from her son-in-law, who had arrived at the scene: Mogamat was dead.
"I remember arriving and seeing his lifeless body," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn’t believe it. His clothes were drenched in blood."
The loss is almost unbearable. Mogamat was her only son, a child she shared with her late husband, Mogamat Shaheed, who passed away from a heart attack several years ago. The tragedy has taken a severe toll on Zainab, both emotionally and physically.
"I’m currently on anxiety and sleeping pills," she admits. "Sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind." Since Mogamat’s death, Zainab has visited a local doctor three times and has been told she is showing signs of a minor stroke. She now requires a crutch to walk. "It’s difficult to lift my foot, and my whole body is constantly aching."
Zainab, 58, struggles to sleep at night, haunted by nightmarish thoughts of her son’s suffering. During the day, she finds herself instinctively checking Mogamat’s room, reaching for an extra mug when making coffee, and setting out his lunchbox for work, momentarily forgetting the devastating reality that he will never be coming home. "I wake up and think about him, reliving what he went through. What he was thinking when he took his last breath, did he suffer or was his death instant… it’s unbearable," she says, her voice choked with sobs.
The family chose not to formally mark what would have been Mogamat’s wedding day. However, his friends took his fiancée, Rafeeqah, out for lunch – a bittersweet gesture on what should have been her wedding day and 21st birthday. "She’s taken it badly," Zainab says of Rafeeqah. "We’re both broken, and I’m not sure if we will ever recover."
As the family grapples with their profound loss, the wheels of justice have begun to turn. Police confirmed that two women, aged 18 and 23, and a 34-year-old man were arrested at the scene of the shooting. The male suspect, who sustained injuries during the incident, remains under police guard in hospital. The case against the 23-year-old woman was later withdrawn. The remaining suspects now face charges of murder and attempted murder, but it offers little comfort to Zainab.
The court proceedings have been particularly agonising. On 30 September, when the case against the 23-year-old female suspect was withdrawn, Zainab felt utterly helpless. "I remember sitting in the courtroom when I saw the suspects appear. I just wanted to lunge at them and ask them why," she says, her voice filled with anguish. "I know my son wouldn’t live forever, but I never expected him to die so young."
Mogamat’s wedding on 4 October was meant to be a joyous occasion, the family’s first celebration in a decade. Zainab, who also has two daughters, was overjoyed as she prepared for his big day. "It had been 10 years since we’ve had a wedding in our family, so I was excited," she recalls. "I began my own preparations, including saving money to surprise him on his big day."
Mogamat, who worked at a tyre company, had met Rafeeqah years earlier, and they quickly formed a strong connection. A year ago, he approached his mother, telling her he was ready to settle down and wanted to ask for his girlfriend’s hand in marriage. "I was happy when he told me this because I saw how much they loved each other and how much he’d put into the relationship," she says.
As the wedding drew closer, Mogamat shared his plan to sell his iPhone 12 Pro Max to help with the mounting expenses. Zainab tried to dissuade him, promising she would help with whatever else he needed. He initially agreed, and she believed that was the end of the matter.
Mogamat was buried two days after his death, in accordance with Islamic tradition. Despite the heartache, Zainab tries to hold onto the beautiful memories of her son. She cherishes their deep bond – cooking his favourite meals, catching up after work, and the unwavering love and respect he always showed her. As her brother, Abduragman, poignantly stated, "He was always so protective of his family, even if it meant losing his own life. He would do anything for the people he loved."
Zainab is deeply grateful for the support she has received from her family during this incredibly difficult time. She hopes that those responsible for Mogamat's death will be brought to justice. "My son was kind, responsible – he did everything for our family. He didn’t deserve to die like that," she says. "I know it won’t bring back my boy, but I want justice for him. His killing can’t be in vain."
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