Family Blames Broken Surveillance Cameras for Her Death
The Manentsa family is mourning the loss of 41-year-old Amanda Manentsa, who was fatally shot on Cape Town’s R300 freeway on the night of 26 July 2025. Amanda, a dedicated sales representative for a company under South African Breweries, had just completed her final stop for the day in Delft when her vehicle suffered a tyre burst.
According to her relative, Vathiswa Manentsa, Amanda immediately contacted a colleague at around 20:15 to inform him of the situation. He assured her that he was en route to assist. However, by the time he arrived, the situation had turned tragic.
The colleague discovered Amanda’s company vehicle parked on the side of the freeway. The doors were locked, and there was a bullet hole in the driver’s side window. Alarmed, he called emergency services. Shockingly, the 10111 operator allegedly instructed him to go to the Delft Police Station to report the incident in person. By the time he returned with police officers, Amanda had succumbed to a gunshot wound to the neck.
“She was in a bulletproof vehicle, locked inside, waiting for help. She had parked directly in front of surveillance cameras because she believed they would offer her protection,” said Vathiswa. “What she didn’t know is that those cameras weren’t even working. They’re just empty poles giving people false hope.”
The family believes that criminals are well aware of the non-functional cameras and exploit this vulnerability to carry out attacks in blind spots without fear of being recorded or caught.
“If the cameras had been operational, the control room would have seen a woman stranded and sent help. Instead, she was left alone in a dangerous area,” said Vathiswa, who expressed deep frustration and sadness. “She trusted the system, and it failed her.”
Amanda’s untimely death has left a gaping hole in the lives of those who loved her. She is survived by her 17-year-old daughter, who had just celebrated her birthday two days before the tragedy, as well as two other girls she was raising under legal guardianship.
“She wasn’t only a mother to her biological child. She was a caregiver to many, always full of love and compassion,” said Vathiswa. “Now, we’re left with heartbreak and questions. We just want justice. Someone must be held accountable.”
Western Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed that an investigation is underway. “Officers found the victim with a gunshot wound to the neck. No personal belongings were stolen. The suspects fled the scene, and no arrests have been made at this time,” said Twigg.
The Manentsa family is calling on authorities to urgently repair and maintain surveillance infrastructure along major routes to prevent further tragedies. Amanda’s death has sparked renewed concern about public safety and the reliability of security systems meant to protect citizens.
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