Firearm drawn at dump

GEORGE NEWS - A potentially ugly incident was averted at the building and garden refuse dump behind the municipal transfer station on Tuesday 3 October when a resident pulled out a firearm and pointed it at one of the people living on the dump.

William Prince, a former policeman who was unloading his vehicle at the time, posted on social media how he intervened and confronted the driver of a silver Toyota Hilux King Cab.

"I told him it is against the law to point a gun at someone. Luckily sense prevailed and he put away the revolver."

Prince said that as the Toyota entered the premises, people jumped onto the back of the vehicle hoping to help offload the bakkie to earn a couple of rand - as is the custom.

The driver told them to get off and then pointed a firearm at one of them.

Municipal law enforcement officers were summoned by the security guard at the transfer station nearby.

"They spoke to the man who had the gun pointed at him but he refused to lay charges with the police. I think he is afraid of getting involved with the police. I then took the initiative and called the police myself, but they did not arrive," said Prince.

Elma Nortjie, a member of Afriforum, an NGO linked to the Solidarity trade union, was at the dump on an official visit when the altercation took place and took a photo of the Toyota.

"We were ascertaining the extent of the problems prevalent among those living on the site when we heard a commotion behind us.

"I picked up my camera and managed to get a photo, but I never saw the actual incident," said Nortjie.

At the time of going to print, George Herald was still waiting for comment from the police.

ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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