Tragedy in Mitchells Plain: The heartbreaking death of Shakierah Augustine
Shakierah Augustine
Image: Supplied
For many who work and spend their days at Mitchells Plain Town Centre, it still does not feel real that they will never again see Shakierah Augustine walking through the busy walkways with her smile, greeting people who had over the years become like family to her.
Known affectionately as “Kierah”, the 32-year-old’s lifeless half naked body was found behind Boxer supermarket on Saturday morning, wrapped in a brown blanket and dressed in a black dress. According to sources, electrical wires were also found around her body.
But for those who knew her, Kierah was far more than the tragic circumstances surrounding her death.
To the fish langanas, the foreign national shop owners, trolley pushers and customers at Town Centre, she was a loving soul whose kindness left a mark on almost everyone she met.
When Weekend Argus visited the Town Centre following the heartbreaking discovery, person after person stopped to speak about the type of woman Kierah was.
Augustine's lifeless body was discovered at Town Centre
Image: Leon Knipe
One of those people was fish langana Glynis Lennitch, who said the loss of Kierah could already be felt throughout the entire Town Centre.
“She was a very loving child, always helpful, always decent and never said no to helping,” Lennitch said emotionally.
“If I spoke to her she would listen, if anyone made her angry she would do nothing. She helped around everywhere.”
Lennitch described Kierah as someone with a humble spirit who carried herself with kindness despite the struggles she faced.
“She had the humbling spirit of a young child who respected everyone and always walked with a smile.”
According to Lennitch, Kierah had been living around the Town Centre for about five years and never caused problems with anyone.
“Kierah, you could see, came from a very good home and a loving family, just from the person she was. She just got involved with the wrong things and wrong people, but it didn’t change who she was. That’s one thing I can say.”
She added that Kierah often spoke lovingly about her child.
“She loved her child dearly. She wanted to change for him. There were times she would go home and her family, she said, would tell her to come back. But I also learnt to understand their habits and how it has a hold on them.”
For Lennitch, the pain of losing Kierah reopened wounds left by the death of Bernina “Tomboy” Harmse three years ago.
Harmse had lived among the “Town Centre Kids” since the age of 12 after fleeing her hometown of Oudtshoorn and later died on April 30, 2023.
“These children became my children, so when they pass on you feel as if you lost your own,” Lennitch said.
“Like now, I still find myself looking out for Kierah, and then I am reminded. We all want to know what happened.”
The traumatic moment Kierah’s body was discovered on Saturday morning remains fresh in her mind.
“I gave the key to another one of my helpers on Saturday morning to fetch the tables,” Lennitch explained.
“She came back screaming with her hands on her head saying, ‘Ma, ma, kom kyk, is Kierah wat daar lê.’ I still told her not to talk nonsense.”
According to a well-placed source, Kierah had no visible injuries on her body when she was found behind Boxer supermarket.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened.
“Mitchells Plain police registered an inquest for investigation after the body of an unknown female was found in Symphony Way, Mitchells Plain Town Centre, on Saturday morning, 23 May 2026,” said Twigg.
“The victim had no visible injuries. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”
As police continue investigating what led to Kierah’s death, those who knew her best say they are trying to hold onto memories of the woman who was always willing to help others, always smiling and always showing respect.