The City of Cape Town is offering a R100 000 reward for information leading to the successful arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the murders of two security contractor personnel escorting City staff attending to a sewer pipe repair in Philippi, on Tuesday.
SUPPLIEDAccording to reports, the armed security guards, from Vhugi Security Services, had driven to the site in Phola Park in their own
company vehicle, while a City vehicle transported five operational staff.
SUPPLIEDOn arrival, the teams disembarked to gather tools and
inspect the pipe. While busy, two armed men approached the City vehicle and
another two headed to the toilet block where multiple shots were fired. both
private security guards passed away, whilst a female City staff member was also
injured from a hard fall.
‘’We as a City are shocked at the senseless act which has
claimed the lives of two men hard at work serving the community. Arrangements
have been made for staff to receive medical attention and trauma counselling.
These horrendous experiences deeply impact everyone, especially those working
at the forefront of service delivery,’’ said Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral
Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
‘’In hotspot areas particularly, the City works closely
with community leaders to ensure that service delivery can continue despite
many challenges. No unrest was reported prior to the team being deployed in
this instance,’’ he added.
Badroodien said the City spent over R8,5 million for
private security escorts in the 2023/24 financial year.
Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, urged residents to
report crime.
‘’Our message to Philippi residents is this: we will not stop delivering services in your community, but our frontline staff are under attack and need your help. Use our 24-hour tip-offs hotline (0800 00 6992) to report the criminals disrupting water and sanitation services and upgrades in the community. You can remain anonymous... Together we can root out the criminals blocking progress in communities.’’
Last Wednesday, City staff were also robbed of their cellphones in Clarke Estate, Elsies River, whilst unclogging a blocked sewer pipe, and five City workers were robbed of their personal belongings in Blue Downs, after attending to a burst water pipe.
Done by: Mitchum George
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