Community in shock as Sanco chair laid to rest
By Peter Luhanga
- Gunmen stormed church grounds and shot Sanco chair leader dead as he was mowing the lawn.
- Hundreds mourn at emotional memorial as family, colleagues, and friends say final goodbyes to the beloved civic leader.
- Residents vow to continue his fight for better infrastructure, anti-crime measures, and local job support will continue as community vows to carry on his mission.
Residents of Witsand township in Atlantis are devastated after the assassination of civic leader Moses Matiso, who was gunned down in the yard of a local church where he held a leadership role.
Matiso, 32, was the chairperson of the Sanco JS Masakala Peninsula branch and was instrumental in advocating for infrastructure development, anti-crime measures, and formal electricity provision to informal settlements.
A husband and father of a five-year-old child, his death on Monday, 31 March, sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents devastated and fearful.
The shooting took place at 5.35pm in the yard of the St. John’s Church on Ngonyama Street, Witsand. According to Atlantis SAPS spokesperson Captain Liza Munro, Matiso had been cutting grass when two unidentified men entered the premises and opened fire. He was found with multiple gunshot wounds and declared dead at the scene.
Munro confirmed a murder docket has been opened. She stated the two suspects fled the scene on foot. Exhibits collected from the scene include one 9mm cartridge and one live 9mm round. No arrests have been made.
A memorial held on Saturday 5 April at the Atlantis Multipurpose Hall drew around 500 mourners, who including residents, family members, church congregants, taxi bosses, and his colleagues from Thorburn Security Solutions. Two armed police officers were stationed at the venue’s entrance.
At the memorial, his brother, Welile Matiso, paid tribute to his sibling, recalling Moses’ deep love for his family. He said standing in front of the mourners to speak about his brother’s death left him at a loss for words, such was the gravity of the loss.
Among those paying tribute was Nwabisa Mene, a colleague from Thorburn Security Solutions, who recalled welcoming Matiso when he joined the company in 2016.
It was his first job in the security sector, and Mene said she had taken pleasure in training him and showing him around.
She described Matiso as someone who advocated for fairness, including at the workplace, where he often stood up for the rights of female security officers.
She said she was still struggling to come to terms with his death.
Babalo Mbulwana, the deputy chairperson of the Sanco JS Masakala Peninsula branch, said Matiso’s death left a deep void not only in the organisation, but in the broader Witsand community.
Mbulwana said Matiso was “more than” a leader: he was a pillar of strength and vision for the community.
He vowed that Sanco would continue Matiso’s work with the same passion and commitment Matiso had shown.
“Matiso was particularly known for his hands-on leadership style and his dedication to grassroots involvement. He led with humility and integrity, making it his mission to address the everyday concerns of the community. His leadership inspired many, including myself, to step up and be true servants of the people,” said Mbulwana.
Fundiswa Makeleni, director of the Siliziwe Community Care Centre in Witsand, described Matiso as a principled leader who revitalised the Sanco branch, transforming it into a well-functioning civic organisation.
“He made a significant contribution to the community. Before his leadership, Sanco wasn’t taken seriously. But once he was elected chairperson, he brought structure and credibility, and we began to recognise its role,” said Makeleni.
Elected in April 2024, Matiso had emerged as a respected civic figure, working across political divides to improve conditions for residents in and around Witsand. His portfolio included proposed projects such as a youth centre, a public library, and a local labour desk to assist workers facing employment-related challenges.
Matiso was buried in Cofimvaba on Saturday 12 April.