Police arrest 17, including an eight-year-old, in Manenberg stone-throwing crackdown

An eight-year-old was among 17 people arrested in Manenberg last week as police cracked down on daily stone-throwing incidents that have become so frequent they now start as early as 6am, police have said.

Manenberg police spokesperson Captain Ian Bennett said the suspects were charged and sent to court, but the case was withdrawn as the court required detailed information on each person’s actions and descriptions during the incidents.

Videos online show that the presence of law enforcement officers does not stop the attacks. 

A police vehicle was nearly damaged, and officers narrowly avoided a violent clash as a group of children advanced on the van, said Manenberg police spokesperson Captain Ian Bennett.

Captain Bennett said the suspects were charged and sent to court, but the case was withdrawn as the court required detailed information on each person’s actions and descriptions during the incidents.

He said: “Stone throwing is seen as a social ill that parents must address. Adults have reportedly incited this violence, which pits children from different streets against each other. 

“In separate incidents, a woman was injured by shrapnel from a rubber bullet during crowd dispersal, and another was caught in gang crossfire. Several youths have also been seriously injured, though many cases go unreported.”

The community wants police to intervene, “but few are willing to identify key instigators”.

Manenberg police station commander, Brigadier Jayce Naidoo, has called on parents to address the issue and provide information on adults orchestrating these attacks.

Manenberg Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Vernon Visagie said stone throwing is out of hand and uncontrollable. 

He said gangs are recruiting children at a very early age.

Visagie urged the community to help identify those involved, saying the stone throwers believe they are above the law and cannot be imprisoned at this age. He described the situation as a worrying development.

In November 2024, one stone throwing incident turned deadly, when mother of five Tasleema Erasmus was gunned down in Sabie Close because she stepped in to stop the violence.

Her accused killer, 31-year-old Ashley Fisher, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison last November.

Naidoo said at the time: “A mother willing to stand up and fight for the safety of children even in death. Parents should not allow this 42-year-old mother to die in vain. 

“Parents should become more involved in their children's lives and must support initiatives that drive positive growth instead of criminalising themselves.”

Brigadier Naidoo continues to await community cooperation to address this surge in violence.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

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