A survivor of the horrific Mamelodi East shooting that left two people dead has broken his silence, saying divine intervention saved him from certain death. The incident, which shocked the Tshwane community on 26 October 2025, claimed the lives of cousins Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga.
The survivor, identified as **Desmond Senong**, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the shooting that has left Mamelodi residents reeling. Speaking to Eyewitness News, Senong said he believed God had a hand in his survival. “I was shot, but God saved me,” he said, recalling how he narrowly escaped with his life after being hit during the attack.
### A Night That Turned Deadly
According to Senong, the night began at a local shisanyama where he encountered Tshiamo and Baleseng Moramaga. He described the atmosphere as festive until the arrival of **Tebogo Mnisi**, who allegedly watched them closely as they danced. Mnisi was reportedly Tshiamo’s boyfriend, and tensions quickly escalated between him and the group.
Senong recalled that Tshiamo and Mnisi exchanged words before she walked away from him. When Senong tried to call out to her, Mnisi allegedly became agitated. “She told me I was making noise,” Senong remembered. He and Baleseng decided to leave the venue shortly afterward, unaware that tragedy awaited them.
### The Confrontation
As they walked through Mamelodi, Senong said Mnisi followed them in his car with Tshiamo inside. He stopped his vehicle, confronted them, and without warning, allegedly drew a firearm. “He just started shooting,” Senong said. “Everything happened so fast. I didn’t even realize I had been hit until later.”
Senong was shot in the lower body but managed to flee the scene. Bleeding and in pain, he made his way home, where neighbors rushed him to the hospital. “It’s only by the grace of God that I’m still alive,” he said emotionally.
### Aftermath and Arrest
Police confirmed that a suspect was later arrested and charged with **two counts of murder and one of attempted murder**. The accused, believed to be Tebogo Mnisi, appeared briefly in the **Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court**, where he abandoned his bail application. The case has been postponed for further investigation.
The Moramaga family and the broader Mamelodi community have expressed deep grief and outrage over the senseless killings. Many residents gathered to offer condolences and to call for justice for the victims. Tshwane Mayor **Nasiphi Moya** also condemned the attack, describing it as “a brutal act that has torn apart families and shaken our community.”
As Senong continues to recover from his injuries, he says he’s focusing on healing — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. “I thank God every day for sparing my life,” he said. “I’m alive for a reason, and I’ll never take that for granted again.”
The Mamelodi East shooting has reignited discussions about the growing rates of **gender-based violence and gun-related crimes** in South Africa, with many urging stronger action to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
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