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Mom ‘Killers’ Skip Bail

TWO skollies charged with the murder of Tasleema Erasmus, a mother from Manenberg, have been remanded to the mang after abandoning their applications for bail.

Ashley Fisher and Thabiet Bassardien appeared again last week at the Athlone Magistrates Court after being apprehended by detectives from Manenberg.

The tragic death of the 42-year-old mother of five occurred in November of last year during a brutal stone-throwing conflict involving local child gangs.

At the scene, located on Sabie Road, her hartseer family rushed to find her lifeless body after she was hit by a stray bullet while attempting to usher her son to safety.

A relative, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, expressed concerns that she may have been targeted as she had openly criticized the violent confrontations between the youth gangs, which included youngsters as young as nine years old.

On the day of the incident, residents reported that a fierce conflict erupted between two gangs, the Okka Boys and the Sabie Kidz, leading to chaos in the streets.

Tasleema had dashed from her home to retrieve her son from the street corner.

Tasleema Erasmus

Her funeral took place two days later, attended by hundreds of mense during the janazah, where community leaders urged the youth to cease the violence.

Authorities disclosed that during the turmoil, an 18-year-old male who was also throwing stones sustained a gunshot wound to the left leg and was immediately hospitalized for treatment.

Police spokesperson Captain Ian Bennett confirmed the apprehension of the two suspects.

He stated: “I can confirm that the suspects were arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder. They appeared in the Athlone Magistrates Court and chose to forgo their bail application. The hearing has been postponed to February 26.”

Tasleema’s family expressed their relief over the detention of the alleged assailants but lamented the daily absence of their beloved mother.

An unnamed family member stated: “We are thankful they are caught and will remain in custody, but her children and family are in deep pain.

“Her children cry constantly for their mother’s return. They have lost a mother too soon.”



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