Community leaders are urging stricter measures to curb Guy Fawkes-related incidents after widespread chaos erupted in parts of the Cape Flats on Wednesday.
Videos circulating on social media showed children raiding the streets of Lavender Hill, throwing paint, pelting cars, and causing harm to others.
Steenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Nicola Small described the scenes as deeply disturbing.
“Children, some barely teenagers, were leading this chaos. Despite repeated calls from the CPF, community organisations, and leaders for calm and parental responsibility, those appeals were largely ignored. Watching it unfold left me with a sickening sadness. Is this truly the future we are shaping?”
Small says serious action is needed to prevent similar incidents next year.
“SAPS resources are stretched thin. We cannot keep blaming the police for slow response times when we force them to spend their energy managing this kind of lawlessness. This behaviour is riotous, outdated, and senseless. It helps no one. It undermines our community and puts everyone, especially our children, at risk.”
Meanwhile, Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie says the situation was relatively calm in his area. He confirmed that a substantial amount of fireworks were confiscated and several fines issued during enforcement operations.
“While some children took advantage of the opportunity to set off fireworks and attempt to smear people, there was a general sense of peace in the area. No serious threats or incidents were reported, but a large number of fireworks were confiscated and fines issued.”
Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith reported numerous incidents involving “mobs” in hotspot areas like Lavender Hill, Parkwood, Woodlands, and Bishop Lavis/Bonteheuwel.
“As groups are constantly on the move, it is incredibly difficult to catch anyone in the act. Metro Police issued fines for the illegal sale of fireworks in Connaught Estate, Elsies River, and Law Enforcement confiscated fireworks in Tafelsig. Our City staff were also targeted in Valhalla Park, officers fired rubber rounds after being stoned and shot at, and in Macassar, children stoned a fire truck.”
Also read: City On Alert as Guy Fawkes Incidents Reported Across Cape Town
