Manenberg stone-throwing escalates to deadly shooting

Stone throwing in Manenberg escalated to a deadly shooting which claimed the life of a bystander.

Three men were shot on Wednesday evening in Renoster Road when youngsters - allegedly recruited by rival gangs  the Fancy Boys and Hard Livings - started throwing stones at each other.

As the battle grew more intense, guns were drawn, and shots were fired, killing a 35-year-old bystander while a 14-year-old boy was shot in the right leg. A 21-year-old gang member was shot in his lower back.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the incident and said that two suspects have been identified, but no arrests have been made as yet.

“Manenberg police registered a case of murder and two counts of attempted murder, following an incident that occurred at Renoster Road, Manenberg on Wednesday, Gwala said

“According to reports, two rival gangs were throwing stones at each other when a third gang group joined the fight with firearms, fatally wounding a 35-year-old bystander. 

“A 14-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound on his right leg, while a 21-year-old gang-affiliated male sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back. 

“Two male suspects have been identified. No arrest has been made yet. The investigation is ongoing.”

A resident called on the community and authorities to work together to help end the violence.

The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, said: “These youngsters are a youth wing to these gangs -  the Hard Livings and Fancy Boys. One gang was supporting these youngsters with guns and that is how the shooting started.

“As a community, we are trying to put an end to this and engage with these youngsters. The struggle is that we feel that the government is not supporting the community.

“Everyone is looking at the community like we are all criminals, but that is not true.”

Public Relations Officer for the Manenberg Community Policing Forum Abdurahman Govind said that Manenberg police station is under-resourced and they will be calling on Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia to find out what other plans they have for the community.

He said: “I was informed that the stone throwers are now gangsters. I do not see an end in sight because our communities don’t stand with us by coming forward with information.

“It is a vicious cycle. We are trying to do our best and push SAPS to do more, but they can only do so much with the resources they have. 

“When the stone throwing starts, it is like a movie to residents who watch and laugh at what is happening.”

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