The Moremi family from Pimville is mourning the heartbreaking loss of their daughter, Messina Moremi, who passed away on Saturday night after spending a week fighting for her life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Her death comes on the very day she would have celebrated her 26th birthday, turning what should have been a moment of joy into a day of profound grief.
Messina was one of two women found with gunshot wounds to the head on 8 November 2025 in an open field near the N12 highway in Protea Extension 8. The disturbing discovery shocked the local community and prompted immediate calls for justice. While the second victim was tragically declared dead at the scene, Messina was still alive when emergency services arrived. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition and placed under intensive care, where medical teams fought tirelessly to save her life.
For a week, her family held onto hope. Her mother, Thelma Moremi, shared that they prayed continually for a miracle, believing Messina would pull through despite the severity of her injuries. The days in hospital were filled with emotional turmoil as the family waited for any sign of improvement. Unfortunately, their worst fears were confirmed when Messina succumbed to her injuries on Saturday.
Thelma describes the family’s pain as unimaginable. Losing a child is every parent’s nightmare, and the circumstances surrounding Messina’s death have only deepened the trauma. She says the family is shattered by the tragedy and struggling to come to terms with the brutality of the attack. What was meant to be a special birthday celebration has now become a day marked by sorrow and unanswered questions.
Messina’s death has reignited calls for stronger action against violent crime, especially crimes targeting women. The family is pleading with law enforcement to intensify their efforts to track down the perpetrators. Thelma has urged the police to speed up the investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice without delay. She emphasised that no family should ever have to endure such pain and uncertainty.
Police have confirmed that a case of murder has been opened and that investigations are currently underway. Detectives are working to piece together the events leading up to the attack and identify the individuals involved. Authorities have not yet disclosed potential motives or suspects, but they are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
As the community rallies behind the Moremi family, messages of support and condolences continue to pour in. Residents of Pimville and surrounding areas have expressed outrage over the senseless violence and are calling for safer environments for women and girls. Many hope that justice for Messina will bring some closure to the grieving family.
The Moremis now face the difficult journey of laying their beloved daughter to rest. While her life was tragically cut short, her family remains determined to honour her memory and continue seeking justice on her behalf.
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