Pamela Mabini

Pamela Phumla Mabini (21 March 1978 –7 March 2025) was a South African human rights activist and whistleblower. A prominent advocate for women's rights in her hometown of Gqeberha, Mabini became more widely known for raising concerns about Nigerian televangelist Tim Omotoso, which led to him being charged with multiple offences including human trafficking and sexual assault. In 2025, during the culmination of Omotoso's trial, Mabini was shot dead outside her home by unknown assailants.

Activism

Community activism Mabini was the founder and director of the Maro Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that worked to reduce violent crimes in Gqeberha. Mabini was a known advocate for female victims of crimes, including appearing in court with them. She also provided items to disadvantaged communities in Nelson Mandela Bay, including food, clothing, school uniform, and sanitary towels. Mabini received press attention after she publicly called on the then-Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, to walk around the townships of Nelson Mandela Bay without his bodyguards in response to rising violent crimes and robberies in the area. In 2023, she was named a Local Hero by the Daily Dispatch, a newspaper based in Eastern Cape.

Death and response Mabini began receiving regular death threats, including one attempt on her life in which she was physically assaulted, following the start of Omotoso's trial at the Gqeberha High Court in 2018. The CPL at the time released a statement criticising what it saw as the South African government's "inefficient" witness protection programme, which it also noted did not extend to whisteblowers who were not themselves witnesses to the crime. On 11 March, a 44-year-old man was killed at a taxi rink in Njoli; the police subsequently reported that he had been a person of interest in the investigation into Mabini's killing. The Human Rights Research Centre called on the South African government to adopt the Whistleblowers Protection Bill.

The African National Congress caucus condemned Mabini's killing. The minister of justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, also condemned her murder.

Omotoso was subsequently acquitted of all charges and returned to Nigeria. The judgement criticised the prosecution for bungling the case.

Recognition In December 2025, Mabini was named on of that year's laureates for the Blueprint Whistleblower Prize.