Strandfontein deadly woman's shocking criminal record unveiled after a taxi boss was shot dead in Wynberg Regional Court

CAPE TOWN – As investigations continue into the brazen gangland shooting that occurred at the Wynberg Regional Court, shocking details have emerged regarding the criminal history of a Strandfontein woman accused of instigating the hit. Shireen Matthews, alleged to be the lover of a Junky Funky Kidz gang boss, has a long rap sheet spanning several years, according to police records exclusively obtained by the Daily Voice.

Matthews, 35, appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates Court this week alongside Abubaker Adams, facing eight charges in connection with the murder of Dingalomoyo Chintso, 49, another alleged hitman, at the court building on 8 April. The shooting, which took place on the fourth floor of the building, sparked false rumours that the victim was a State witness.

However, investigations by the Daily Voice have revealed that Matthews is no stranger to the law. Police records indicate that her criminal history dates back to November 2017, when she was first arrested for assault in Strandfontein.

Over an eight-year period, Matthews has faced over 40 criminal charges for a variety of offences, including assault, theft, fraud, drug-related crimes, malicious damage to property, robbery, and now, murder. These cases were registered at various police stations across the Cape metropole, including Strandfontein, Milnerton, Rondebosch, Grassy Park, and others.

While Matthews has been arrested numerous times, many of the cases against her were withdrawn for reasons that remain unclear. However, in 2017, she was found guilty of theft in a case originating from Diep River and received an 18-month sentence, which was suspended for four years.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Chintso's murder continues to unfold. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg announced that ongoing investigations by Western Cape Serious Violent Crime detectives led to the arrest of two more men, aged 23 and 34, in the southern suburbs.

"This brings the number of suspects arrested for the murder to four," Twigg reported. "The two suspects will appear in the Wynberg Magistrates Court on Friday 25 April 2025 on a charge of murder."

At the time of the shooting, an eyewitness recounted that a lone gunman, wearing a maroon t-shirt and a black beanie, approached Chintso and fired four shots at his head with a firearm taken from a sling bag. Panic ensued as people feared the gunman was still at large within the court building. Sources revealed that the victim was a person of interest in the murder of slain Junky Funky gang boss Ashley ‘Essie’ Phillips, who was shot outside Brackenfell Police Station earlier this year.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has refuted claims that Chintso was a State witness, clarifying that he was appearing in court on murder charges himself.

The revelation of Matthews' extensive criminal history raises questions about her alleged involvement in the gang hit and the potential motives behind the shooting. As the investigation progresses and more details emerge, the case promises to shed light on the complex and often violent world of gangland activity in Cape Town. The community awaits further developments as the four suspects prepare to face justice in the Wynberg Magistrates Court.