HELP STOP MALL FIGHT NIGHTS

POLICE are requesting victims of the latest rage of mall violence dubbed “Fight Night”  to come forward. 

Videos of a fight between two girls at Canal Walk on Saturday, 28 June 2025, went viral on social media, showing crowds of teenagers, who are on school holidays, cheering them on and others trying to stop it.

A poster advertising a “Meet and Greet” at Canal Walk was also shared prior to the incident and in another inciting violence between two girls by sharing their photographs, calling it a battle of the Facebook pictures, titling it Fight Night.

This is just one of several incidents in recent days, weeks, months and years at local malls such as Canal Walk and the V& A Waterfront.

Vanessa Herbst, Marketing Manager for Canal Walk confirmed: “Centre Management is aware of a gathering that took place at Canal Walk involving a group of unsupervised youth. 

“While our security team with the assistance of the SAPS worked diligently to manage the situation, the nature of the gathering presented significant challenges…

“We are engaging with relevant stakeholders and authorities to strengthen our approach in managing gatherings of this nature to prevent similar incidents in future.”

Just last week two other girls fought at V& A Waterfront, to which the Head of Communication and PR, Donald Kau said they would be taking action: “In the instance of youngsters caught participating in these fights, statements are taken by our security officials, written warnings are provided to the individuals in our custody, the parents and SAPS notified and where a police investigation is necessary, we would supply the investigating officer with security footage and reports of the incident.”

Minister of  Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, told Cape Argus: “This type of behaviour is not only dangerous and illegal, but it also poses a serious risk to the safety of the wider public, including innocent bystanders as it has been reported that some of the teenagers are also bringing weapons along to these fights.

 “I urge parents and guardians to take an active role in monitoring their children’s online activity…”  

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said while they had no record of the latest incident, they were appealing for victims to come forward.