A deadly stabbing and a high-profile child-grooming case have intensified concerns over Mitchells Plain violence. On 12 October, father of five Diego Soldaat, 35, was stabbed outside a BP garage in Clock Tower while buying sweets for his children. Police said he died at the scene. They opened a murder case; however, no arrests have been made. His brother, Luke, said the family “is shattered” and wants answers.
In a separate court matter, Mitchells Plain father Shannon Manuel, 33, intends to plead guilty later this month to charges linked to an international child pornography network. He appeared at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court on Tuesday. The matter was set down for 14 and 24 November for a plea. Manuel had previously been denied bail.
What it Means for Safety and Justice in the Area
The Soldaat case underscores the daily toll of Mitchells Plain violence on families and the urgency of visible policing and swift investigations. Lentegeur police are probing the murder. They appealed for information after the suspects fled. “The victim was declared deceased at the scene… The motive is under investigation,” police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said.
The Manuel case highlights online harms against children and the courts’ approach to plea processes. According to the National Prosecuting Authority, investigators linked Manuel to large volumes of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after a tip-off from US Homeland Security. Preliminary analysis cited 115,000 images and 20,000 videos allegedly collected between April 2021 and January 2024. The court heard the State and defence considered a Section 105A plea and sentence agreement. However, the defence indicated readiness for a Section 112 guilty plea.
Police and Court Responses
SAPS confirmed the Soldaat murder investigation is ongoing and that suspects are still at large. The Cape Argus reported Manuel’s intention to plead guilty; earlier, he was denied bail. The defence indicated a wish to “finalise the matter,” according to court proceedings reported from the Mitchells Plain Regional Court. Authorities did not immediately provide additional comment beyond what was stated in court and police briefings.
