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The municipality is not collecting garbage in some areas of Cape Town’s townships following an attack on workers. Photo by Misheck Makhora
FOUR security guards are in hospital following a shooting incident.
They were escorting City of Cape Town workers who collect rubbish in Philippi.
The incident occurred mid-morning on Thursday, 21 November, in the Marcus Garvey area.
MMC for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, said the city might withdraw services in the area until the security situation improves.
While Twigg said it’s unclear if the attack was related to a protection fee, there have been previous demands from criminals, forcing them to operate in the area escorted by security personnel.
A community leader linked the incident to a protection fee.
“It’s these boys who demand money from spaza shops who now want it from municipalities. We have information that it was them. Unfortunately, their actions block services into our kasi, and ordinary people suffer because of that,” said the leader.
The City of Cape Town reported that the injured individuals were transported out of the area using a rubbish truck.
MMC for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, stated the city might withdraw services in the area until the security situation improves. Photo by Misheck Makhora
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They were then transferred to an ambulance from a safe location and rushed to hospital.
“Four security guards were shot during the attack. Two were taken to hospital from the scene, and one is in a critical condition, with multiple wounds to the chest and abdomen. The other two managed to leave the area in a refuse collection vehicle and were later picked up from the depot by the ambulance and taken for medical treatment,” the City of Cape Town said in a statement.
The following areas won’t receive services: Marcus Garvey, Browns Farm, Lower Crossroads, Samora Machel, and the Unathi Bester area in Philippi.
Twigg said they are working hard to restore services in the area.
“These threats and attacks against staff members working to uphold the basic rights of our most vulnerable communities must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Disruption of services that so many depend on for their health and well-being is unacceptable.
“Our thoughts are with the communities affected by service disruption, and we remain committed to restoring services as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of our workers,” Twigg said.
On 11 November, workers from the City of Cape Town, who were cleaning toilets in Kraaifontein, were threatened to leave or pay a protection fee.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed the incident.
“Philippi East SAPS opened four counts of attempted murder following an incident around 10am on Thursday, 21 November 2024, when security personnel, who accompanied a refuse truck, came under fire by unknown gunmen in Crescent 15, Marcus Garvey in Philippi East.
“It’s reported that four of the security officials were hit and sustained gunshot wounds to their upper bodies. They were transported to a medical facility for treatment, one of them is described to be critical. No arrests have been made,” Pojie said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or anonymously through the MySAPS mobile application.
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