NATIONAL NEWS - MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Department Michael Sun said he received the tragic news of a fatal shooting at the Goudkoppies landfill site belonging to the City of Johannesburg’s waste management entity, Pikitup, on the evening of January 11.

“While I have been assured that members of the SAPS are attending to the matter, preliminary information indicates that the shooting took place at around 17:50, shortly before the commencement of the night shift. On-duty security personnel belonging to two private security companies, as well as in-house security guards, were approached by a gang of unknown gunmen who subsequently opened fire,” he said.

Four security personnel were declared dead on scene by paramedics from ER24 and Netcare 911. Another security guard died in hospital on January 13.

Two security personnel are still in hospital. No arrests have been made but Kliptown SAPS has registered a docket.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish for a speedy recovery to survivors of this incident. I condemn this senseless attack and call on law-enforcement agencies to work with speed to properly investigate this matter and bring to justice those responsible. It is imperative that this is done to restore confidence in the City’s ability to keep our residents and employees safe at all times.

“Restoring safety and security throughout the City is a key priority of the multi-party government, and I will take the lead in ensuring that incidents of this nature are drastically reduced. Meanwhile, operations at the landfill site have stopped while all insourced guards will be reassigned. Nearby residents are urged to make use of alternative disposal facilities.

“Security guards on duty at the time of the incident will be referred to a wellness programme. The JMPD and SAPS will conduct constant patrols of the scene,” explained Sun.

Article: Caxton Publication, Albertonrecord