Law Enforcement officials had their hands full with stoute laaities who “celebrated Guy Fawkes” by terrorising people on their way to work on Thursday.
The packs of kids also attacked each other as well as innocent bystanders.
Incidents of violence were reported across the Cape Flats in areas like Steenberg, Lavender Hill, Vrygrond, Seawinds, Pelican Park and Nyanga.
In Macassar, stones were thrown at passing vehicles.
In Military Road, Steenberg, a truck had its windscreen smashed in with rocks.
In Overcome Heights, an old man had blue paint thrown all over him and was attacked with a brick.
Community leader Michelle Petersen says the marauding laaities targeted foreigners in Vrygrond.
“They hit a foreigner en route to work with a brick and took his bag,” she says.
“In Hillview, a car passed and the kids pelted it with stones, damaging the windscreen.
“Also, a gay person walked past them and they assaulted him with stones and paint.
“He was rushed to the hospital in Retreat as the paint could not be removed from his eyes.”
A video made in Nyanga Junction showed a group of boys beating up a woman coming from the shops.
She tried to run away, but fell in the street as they pummelled her with socks filled with hard objects.
In another video recorded in Lavender Hill, a group of young thugs stalked the streets, attacking innocent people also with socks stuffed with objects.
Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the hooligans kept them busy yesterday: “Law Enforcement officers have been busy dealing with incidents of violence related to Guy Fawkes celebrations in areas like Steenberg, Lavender Hill, Vrygrond, Seawinds and Pelican Park.
“The incidents involve groups of youngsters attacking each other and bystanders with socks filled with paint or nugget.
“In one case, a sock with a blade inside was confiscated.
“The groups disappear between houses the minute they notice officers arrive, so catching them is difficult.”