The family of a Manenberg woman who was killed while fetching her sons from stone-throwing believe she was targeted because she spoke out against this illegal activity.
Tasleema Erasmus, 42, a mother of five children and one grandchild, died when she was shot in her face in Renoster Road on Thursday November 21.
Her sister, Nadia Fortune, said Ms Erasmus was much-loved in their community, because she often put others’ needs before hers.
Ms Fortune said that when her sister was informed about teenage boys throwing stones again, she went to Renoster Road to fetch her 13-year-old and 17-year-old sons, who were also involved in it.
“She has gone to the police station on so many occasions to report the stone-throwing by the youth in our area. She was not just concerned about her own sons but also other residents’ children. She stood up for all the children in Manenberg. I think she was targeted because she wanted to put an end to this violent behaviour. She was such a lovable person who was always there for everybody else, and she always had a smile on her face. Killing her was senseless,” Ms Fortune said.
Ms Fortune’s partner, Magadien Wentzel, said what saddened him even more about Ms Erasmus’s murder was that he had warned the authorities many years ago about gangs recruiting the youth with illegal activities like this.
“The stone-throwing is a stepping stone to becoming a gangster. This is how gangs recruit the youngsters. From throwing bricks, they go on to use knives and then guns. In my community work to help eradicate gangsterism, I told local, provincial and national governments about this time and time again. It seems that the government is not interested in the well-being of a community like Manenberg. A lot of our innocent people get killed almost daily – even grandparents and children only trying to make their way to school. Our community lives in fear and most suffer from generational trauma,” Mr Wenzel said.
On Saturday November 23, hundreds of people filled the street leading to Ms Erasmus’s Sabie Close home during her funeral. Ms Erasmus was buried by Muslim rites.
“She had a huge janazaa (Muslim funeral). It just shows how much she was loved,” Ms Fortune said.
Manenberg SAPS spokesperson Captain Ian Bennett said the violent behaviour of the youth had led to Ms Erasmus’s death.
“Violent stone-throwing has plagued the streets of Manenberg for months. Thursday was no different. As Ms Erasmus fetched her sons from the street, a single gunshot rang out, and she was the victim of that fatal gunshot to her face. She collapsed and died on the road way, just outside her home. An 18-year-old man, who was also part of the stone-throwing, was hit in the left leg and was transported to hospital for medical treatment. It is unknown why she was the target of this fatal shooting,” Captain Bennett said.
While Mr Wentzel has criticised both politicians and the police for “doing nothing” to stop the scourge of gangsterism, Captain Bennett appealed to parents “to take authority”.
“There is no profit in peace. When there are no drugs and guns, there will be no corruption. I am angry at our government and SAPS. They talk, but do nothing,” Mr Wentzel said.
Captain Bennett said: “Manenberg is in a downward spiral of moral decay if the community is attacking and killing their own. Manenberg parents have lost all authority of parenthood over their children, which has nothing to do with the lack of conventional policing to solve this social ill. Parents are called upon to do deep personal introspection and find a solution to their children’s violent behaviour.”
Colonel Jayce Naidoo, acting station commander of Manenberg SAPS, condemned Ms Erasmus’s killing and vowed to do everything possible to bring the perpetrator to book.
“It has become clear that the violent behaviour of our youth is supported by adults linked to illegal gangs within the Manenberg policing precinct,” he said.
A case of murder and a case of attempted murder have been opened for investigation. A single cartridge has been collected as evidence.
No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information can contact Manenberg SAPS at 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
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