A boy runs along a road littered with rocks while crowds look on during the public violence in the Lavender Hill and Steenberg area on Thursday.
Stone-throwing and burning tyres disrupted parts of Steenberg, Lavender Hill and Parkwood during Guy Fawkes, with motorists caught in the violence and property damaged as police moved in to restore order.
Three men were arrested for public violence and seven boys aged between 13 and 17 were identified by police following incidents on November 5, 2026.
The unrest has renewed concerns about the safety of residents and road users, with community leaders warning that the annual violence appears to be getting worse.
Steenberg Community Policing Forum chairperson Nicola Small said that local police detained seven minors caught throwing stones and called their parents in to talk to the youngsters about their lawlessness.
The men, aged between 19 and 21, were arrested on charges of public violence and are expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Frederick van Wyk said Steenberg police received complaints of public violence early on Thursday. The station commander and officers rushed to the corner of St Christopher and Military roads.
“Upon their arrival, they [police] found young boys who were throwing stones at each other, affecting road users and damaging property.
“Police found seven boys, aged between 13 and 17, at the scene. They were allegedly inciting and participating in the public violence but have not been arrested.”
Van Wyk said the Steenberg station commander, Colonel Nokwanda Harmans, was waiting for the minors to come forward and account for their actions.
Police increased their presence in the area, deploying members of the Anti-Gang Unit, Public Order Policing (POPS), Metro Police and law enforcement.
“Police will not tolerate any acts of criminality and in the event of crime taking place, our members will hesitate to take decisive action.”
He said the deployment would remain in place until any threat to public safety had been dealt with.
Children involved in unrest
Steenberg Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Nicola Small identified St Montague Village, Cuban Heights and Lavender Hill as hotspots.
Small said police had been on the ground since early morning, with additional support deployed, with law enforcement determined to snuff out the Guy Fawkes terror.
“It’s all linked to Guy Fawkes. SAPS and other agencies are taking the lead.”
She added that the area had experienced similar incidents in previous years, but believed the situation was intensifying.
“Previous years have been much the same, but it seems to be intensifying,” she said.
Parents urged to take responsibility
Small raised concerns about the involvement of children in the violence, saying some were unsupervised and taking to the streets to participate in or incite unrest.
“There’s absolute lawlessness with young children who are unsupervised and taking to the streets to join or incite the violence.”
She urged parents and caregivers to take responsibility for children in their care.
“Residents are urged to please take responsibility for the children in their care,” she said.
Van Wyk reiterated that police would not tolerate lawlessness and warned that offenders could face action.
“Western Cape SAPS will not be turning a blind eye to lawlessness, and offenders can expect an unpleasant encounter with the law,” he said.