Durban community mourns Tamia Fredericks after fatal shooting

According to IOL, friends and family have paid tribute to Tamia Fredericks, 25, who was shot and killed in Wentworth, south of Durban, on Sunday. Fredericks, who was four months pregnant, was found on Wiest Road with gunshot wounds.

Prayer meeting and family tributes

According to IOL, a prayer meeting was held on Wednesday at the Open Door Assembly Church in Newlands East, where a message from Fredericks’ mother, Jenny Fredericks, was read by a family member.

“I never thought the day would come when I would have to say goodbye to my precious daughter Tamia, and watch you leave beneath the sky. A mother should never have to know the pain of burying her child. The silence where your laughter was. The memories that make me smile. You were part of my heart. A gift I never wanted to lose. And though my arms cannot hold you ..our love I will forever choose. There are questions in my heart and tears I cannot hide. But I know God is with me as I walk this painful road. Your life was not without purpose. Your light will never fade. I will remember you each day and when the tears begin to fall, I know you are never far away.”

Community leaders and response

According to IOL, Apostle Alex Hitzeroth said when one home is hurt, it hurts the community, and praised Fredericks’ impact and influence on people’s lives. According to IOL, Pastor Shane Pillay described the situation as unfair.

According to IOL, eThekwini Ward 11 Councillor Allan Peterson said a planned Women’s Day event for Saturday was cancelled when news of the murder broke. According to IOL, Peterson also remembered the murder of Lesleigh Malgas in January 2026 in Newlands East and said both deaths were Gender Based Violence-related issues.

Friends remember her kindness

According to IOL, more than a dozen of Fredericks’ close friends paid tribute to her, describing her as a kind person, outgoing and impossible to forget. They said they would remember her laughter, smile, dancing skills and creative social media videos.

According to IOL, one friend said that a week earlier Fredericks had gathered her relatives’ children and given them party packs. According to IOL, community activist Joanne Ryan said a beautiful, young soul was taken too soon, leaving the community hurting.

Funeral arrangements

According to IOL, Fredericks and her unborn baby’s funeral will take place at the Open Door Assembly Church on Saturday.

Incident details

According to IOL, Fredericks, who lived in Newlands East, had been visiting friends in Wentworth when the incident happened. Wentworth Police have not disclosed details about the murder investigation, and police spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said Fredericks was found lying on the road with gunshot wounds.