Fed-up Mitchells Plain residents brought traffic to a standstill on Jakes Gerwel Drive on Sunday afternoon, demanding justice for murdered pastor Anthea Wilkinson and urgent action against ongoing smash-and-grab attacks — including an incident in which a mourner was allegedly targeted while returning from the pastor's funeral.
Hundreds of people gathered along the busy route near the R300 to protest against violent attacks that residents say have terrorised motorists and families for years.
Wilkinson, a 53-year-old pastor at Jesus Celebration International (JCI), died on 24 October 2026 from serious head injuries after the vehicle she was travelling in was allegedly attacked on 11 October.
Police have opened cases of murder, malicious damage to property, and common assault, though no arrests have been made yet.
Mourner targeted after leaving pastor’s funeral
The demonstration, which was supported by the Africa Restoration Alliance (ARA), comes amid growing outrage over persistent smash-and-grab attacks along Jakes Gerwel Drive, where several intersections have long been flagged as dangerous crime hotspots.
Charmaine Heywood, a member of JCI’s leadership who knew Wilkinson for more than 20 years, told protesters that the community was standing up for every family affected by the violence along the route.
“We want righteous justice for Pastor Anthea, but not just for her, for every family that has been affected by such incidents,” she said.
Heywood, who has also survived an attack herself, revealed that another church member and her mother were allegedly targeted just a day before Sunday's protest as they drove home from Wilkinson's funeral.
“This other lady from our church was with her mom. They threw rocks at them, and they chased them with a car,” she said.
Pointing out that motorists have been targeted along the road for decades, Heywood called on authorities to erect a protective wall along the route.
“Who is looking out for us? Who is keeping us safe? Why don’t they come and build a wall here to keep us safe?” she asked.
‘Our hearts are broken today’
Remembering her longtime friend, Heywood described Wilkinson as a warm and caring woman who always made time for others.
“She’d never walk past you without greeting you. She was loved by everyone in the church. Our hearts are broken today,” she said.
South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) chairperson Chris Nissen also joined the demonstration on Sunday to monitor the protest and offer his condolences to Wilkinson's grieving family.
“We condemn the incident. We have been working around the clock on these issues,” Nissen said.
“We are very angry about the murder, and we want the perpetrators to be arrested.”