A Heartrending Loss: The Unjust Death of Phillips Allen-Bakare

3 mins read
#phillipsallenbakare #greenpointtragedy #justiceforphillips

Phillips Allen-Bakare, a 23-year-old American visiting Cape Town, was tragically stabbed to death three times in the kitchen of Atlantic Point backpackers’ hostel. His family has started a fundraiser to bring his body back to the United States and seek justice for his loss. Phillips had visited Cape Town as part of a church group and extended his stay to immerse himself in the local culture and give back to the community. His roommate, Gedeon Tshimowa, has been charged with murder, and the case has been deferred until February 27th.

What happened to Phillips Allen-Bakare at the Atlantic Point backpackers’ hostel?

Phillips Allen-Bakare, a 23-year-old American visiting Cape Town, was fatally stabbed three times in the kitchen of Atlantic Point backpackers’ hostel. His roommate, Gedeon Tshimowa, has been charged with murder. Phillips’ family has started a fundraiser to bring his body back to the United States. They are seeking justice and closure for their loss.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

A Tragedy at Green Point

Immersed in the agony of a devastating event, the kin of Phillips Allen-Bakare, a young American, who was tragically victim to a stabbing incident at the Atlantic Point backpackers’ hostel in Green Point, are reaching out to the world for support.

Phillips, a tender 23 years old, had his life abruptly cut short in a place that was meant to be a temporary haven – a backpackers’ hostel. Initially, Phillips had visited Cape Town as part of a church group, attracted by the city’s rich cultural diversity and breathtaking landscapes. After the group’s departure, he chose to prolong his stay, driven by a desire to further immerse himself in the local culture and give back to the community that had embraced him warmly.

The Incident that Shook a Community

On the ill-fated Friday, a shocking incident took place that rattled both the community and Phillips’ family. A deadly confrontation broke out in the hostel’s kitchen, a space usually filled with shared jokes and communal tales. Phillips found himself in the middle of a confrontational argument that escalated rapidly, resulting in him being stabbed thrice with a common kitchen knife. The same day, his 27-year-old roommate, Gedeon Tshimowa, was apprehended and appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court the subsequent Monday, confronting a serious murder charge.

Following this dreadful incident, the family, overwhelmed with shock and deep sorrow, has initiated their journey towards healing and closure. They have started a fundraising initiative via a GoFundMe page, appealing to the public for help in covering the cost of transporting Phillips’ body back to the United States. The price, a formidable $25,000, approximately R473,973.75, is substantial but insignificant compared to the emotional toll the family has endured due to the loss of a cherished member.

A Family in Mourning

Phillips’ older sibling, Tokunbo Allen-Bakare, has shared a heartfelt and moving message on the fundraising page. It is a poignant tribute to the family’s immense loss and the spiritual path that Phillips had pursued. He had experienced a divine call to partake in missionary work in South Africa.

In the message, Tokunbo stated, “Our family is currently going through a massive loss. On February 9th, my brother, Phillips Allen-Bakare, lost his life in South Africa.” Phillips, the oldest male offspring of the family, had been a pillar of support and a source of inspiration for them. His spiritual journey had taken him across seas, motivated by his aspiration to spread the message of God and bring hope to those he encountered.

The fatal incident leading to Phillips’ demise began with a trivial argument over the volume level of gospel music. Retreating to the communal kitchen to make some food, Phillips was pursued by his roommate, who took a knife and stabbed him three times, prematurely terminating his life and his mission.

Tokunbo continued to share the family’s devastation, “This news has left our family shattered. He wanted everyone to realize that God is real and he loves us.” She also requested donations to help transport Phillips’ body back to the United States, enabling the family to find closure and bid their peaceful farewells.

Justice for Phillips

In the face of this heart-wrenching tragedy, the family clings to hope, concentrating on their affection for Phillips and his enduring legacy. They yearn for justice and closure, accepting the support offered by the international community. The case has been deferred until February 27th as the court weighs bail, marking yet another stride in the lengthy pursuit of justice for Phillips Allen-Bakare.

1. What happened to Phillips Allen-Bakare at the Atlantic Point backpackers’ hostel?

Phillips Allen-Bakare, a 23-year-old American visiting Cape Town, was fatally stabbed three times in the kitchen of Atlantic Point backpackers’ hostel. His roommate, Gedeon Tshimowa, has been charged with murder.

2. What is the fundraiser for?

Phillips’ family has started a fundraiser to bring his body back to the United States. They are seeking justice and closure for their loss. The fundraising initiative is via a GoFundMe page, appealing to the public for help in covering the cost of transporting Phillips’ body back to the United States.

3. How much is the cost of transporting Phillips’ body back to the United States?

The cost of transporting Phillips’ body back to the United States is $25,000, approximately R473,973.75.

4. What was Phillips Allen-Bakare doing in Cape Town?

Phillips had visited Cape Town as part of a church group and extended his stay to immerse himself in the local culture and give back to the community.

5. What is the status of the case?

Phillips’ roommate, Gedeon Tshimowa, has been charged with murder, and the case has been deferred until February 27th as the court weighs bail.

6. What is the family’s message to the public?

The family is requesting donations to help transport Phillips’ body back to the United States, enabling the family to find closure and bid their peaceful farewells. They yearn for justice and closure, accepting the support offered by the international community.

Isabella Schmidt is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food culture, from Bo-Kaap spice merchants to Khayelitsha microbreweries. Raised hiking the trails that link Table Mountain to the Cape Flats, she brings the flavours and voices of her hometown to global readers with equal parts rigour and heart.

Previous Story

Embracing Digital Transformations: The Cape Town Paradigm for Online Reservations

Next Story

A Hero Rises: Divan Snayers and the Night of Courage in Sidwell

Latest from Blog

Dawn, Dirt and Dinner: A Willowvale Kitchen Without Walls

In Willowvale, farmers cleverly plant in manurefilled pits to save water and feed the soil. They also build special ditches to catch rainwater, making sure not a single drop goes to waste. Cooking happens outdoors, over crackling fires, using fresh food grown right there. They even turn old things into new cooking tools. It’s all about living close to the earth and making every bit count, showing a deep love for nature.

Cape Town Quietly Rewrites the Rules Between Tradition and the State

Cape Town is cleverly changing how it supports traditional initiation camps. They now treat these camps like temporary city areas, providing water, toilets, and trash pickup. This helps keep everyone safe and healthy, using smart data to track everything. It’s a quiet revolution, making sure old traditions fit smoothly into modern city life, and other cities are starting to notice this clever plan.

South Africa Plays Hardball on Hoof-and-Mouth: A Five-Year Blitz to Reopen R7 Billion in Beef Trade

South Africa is launching a massive fiveyear plan to crush FootandMouth Disease for good. They’re upgrading labs, getting tons of vaccines, and working with villages to tag and track every animal. This tough new strategy, backed by big money, aims to reopen a R7 billion beef trade with countries like China and the EU. They’re using strict rules, new tech, and even special meetings with local leaders to make sure no sick animal slips through. It’s a fullon war to protect their cattle and bring back their valuable beef exports!

South Africa’s Gateways in November 2025: 3,1 Million Footprints in 30 Days

In November 2025, South Africa saw a massive 3.1 million people cross its borders. This huge number of visitors, especially 2.37 million noncitizens, made it the busiest November for foreign entries since before COVID hit in 2019. It was like a river of people flowing in, showing how popular South Africa had become again.