Four security personnel accompanying a waste collection truck were shot during an attack in Marcus Garvey, Browns Farm, on Thursday morning. Philippi East SAPS has confirmed that four counts of attempted murder have been opened following the incident.
According to police reports, the security team was ambushed by unknown gunmen. Two guards were rushed to hospital, with one in critical condition. The other two managed to leave the area in the refuse truck but were later taken to a medical facility for treatment.
“It is reported that four of the security officials were hit and sustained gunshot wounds to their upper bodies. We appeal to anyone with information to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously,” said police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie.
City officials confirmed that the Urban Waste Management team had been operating under security escort in the area due to ongoing threats and extortion attempts.
“These threats and attacks against staff working to uphold the basic rights of our most vulnerable communities must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, says the City has now been forced to suspend solid waste collection services in Marcus Garvey and surrounding areas, including Lower Crossroads, Samora Machel, and Unathi Bester-Philippi, until it is deemed safe to resume operations.
“Disruptions of services that so many depend on for their health and well-being are unacceptable. We call on SAPS and the public to stand with us in protecting those who serve our City.”
Twigg extended his thoughts to the affected communities and the injured guards, wishing them a speedy recovery. Residents are urged to minimise waste and make use of recycling and composting options while services are suspended.
“Recycling and composting can help reduce the waste that goes to the wheelie bin.”
Earlier this week, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, noted that staff in his department received extortion threats in Kraaifontein and Wallacedene. Services (comprising cleaning of 300 container toilets) were also halted in light of this.
Informal settlements in those areas, namely Area 19, Covid 19, Social Distance, Tygerberg Race Course, Simanga-Bloekombos and Marikana, are affected by this.
“To date, the directorate has been confronted with 14 extortion incidents between April 2023 and November 2024. This has resulted in service disruptions in 23 informal settlements, with cleanliness and maintenance standards compromised in 2,000 container toilets and 230 chemical toilets.”
Badroondien says multiple departments in the City are working together to find solutions to these challenges, to prevent further disruptions to service delivery.
The City’s anonymous 24/7 extortion tip-off hotline:
- Phone 24/7: 0800 00 6992
- Email: SSIMS.SSIUReporting@capetown.gov.za
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