Motorists in Elsies River are living in fear after a spate of stoning incidents in Modderdam and Ravensmead that has already left one man dead after he was struck on the head with a brick on January 7.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Tashwill Joubert, 28, and his girlfriend were driving along 35th Avenue in Elsies River, on their way to fetch people at the Elsies River day hospital, when a concrete slab struck his car.
The young father lost control of his white Honda Ballade, and crashed into a pole.
The Elsies River Gangwatch Facebook group posted that the attacks were persisting and the January 7 incident was not an isolated one. “Stone throwing in Elsies River is becoming too frequent lately one person lost his life and many cars have been damaged due to this. We are appealing to the community to report these perpetrators to the police,” a post read.
A commenter also claimed that an attack took place as recently as Friday night.
Incidents of stone throwing on Jakes Gerwel Drive were also reported on the Mitchells Plain Gangwatch page on Monday.“Warning!!!! Stone Throwing Vanguard Drive about 40min ago opposite Hanover Park the first footbridge three guys just missed us my driver couldn’t stop,” the post read.
Another follower posted in reply: “It’s a regular occurrence, I was driving towards Mplain and saw it they are throwing from the first footbridge as you come from the bend. I’m not sure if they hit any cars as nobody stopped they hid under the stairs so you can’t see them when you approach. Please be careful people.”
The deputy chairperson of the Elsies River Community Policing Forum, Imraahn Mukaddam, said he could not see the reasoning behind the stonings, labelling them “malicious”.
“It’s an abhorrent practice, and cowardly to throw stones at innocent motorists. It’s a practice run by delinquent youth that’s high on drugs.”
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel André Traut, says no arrests have been made yet for Taswell's death.
“Circumstances surrounding a culpable homicide case are being investigated after a 28-year-old man was struck with a brick while driving his motor vehicle in 35th street, Clarkes Estate, on Saturday morning (January 7) at around 2am. He lost control and died after colliding with a lamp pole.”