Staff robbed at gunpoint after long days, working weekends to unblock sewers
30 May 2023
Three workers were forced to give up their cellphones, valuables and
hard-earned money at gunpoint on the way home from work last Saturday. The team
had spent the day unblocking drains and sewers, responding to 18 call-out
requests from residents in and around the Cape Town CBD.
The operational teams at Water and Sanitation work around the clock in shifts, seven days a week. Without their dedication to clearing and disinfecting blocked drains even after hours, many residents would experience the negative impact of overflowing sewers and blocked toilets more severely, and the unpleasantness of being unable to flush toilets properly due to system blockages.
For safety and efficiency, staff are regularly transported to and from work, from their doorsteps when required on weekends or shifts ending late in the evening.
On this occasion, senior operational supervisor driver, China Dabongo headed out to Kew, Samora Machel, Nyanga and Gugulethu for an 20:00 drop-off. While disembarking in Samora Machel, they were targeted by three gunmen who held up the City vehicle, demanding that all valuables in the team's possession be handed over to them.
Fortunately, the vehicle was not stolen and there were no physical injuries.
'It's unacceptable that it has become a norm for many City employees working at the front line of service delivery, to have life-threatening experiences while trying to make an honest living. In the current financial year, more than R34 million has been incurred by the Directorate for safety interventions. This includes escort services provided by the Law Enforcement Department. Unfortunately, it is impossible to provide private security every day for every eventuality,' said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
A case has been opened at Samora Police Station and counselling made available through the Employee Wellness Programme (EAP). The long-lasting anxiety and emotional distress of the risks of working in an unpredictable environment cannot be underestimated.
Despite this incident, it is admirable that the entire team decided to go back, ready to pick up where they left off. They are more concerned about getting to the complaints that they couldn't attend to due to time or inaccessibility of service points when residents couldn't be reached when they went out to help during the weekend.
'We need to start recognising these unsung heroes as role models living within our communities. They are not only City employees, but mothers and fathers providing for their families through physically taxing work. Communities can work together with the City to protect those who commute in this way, by having a zero tolerance for attacks on City vehicles transporting workers in their area,' said Councillor Badroodien
We encourage the public to make use of our toll-free, tip-off line 0800 110 077 with information leading to arrests of anyone targeting City staff with violence across the metro. Tips are relayed to a City agency that will work with Law Enforcement and the SAPS.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
