A group from the City’s Water and Sanitation department fell victim to a knife-point robbery while responding to a sewer overflow issue in Elsies River.
Also read: FlySafair makes emergency landing due to wheel damage
According to IOL, the incident occurred at the intersection of Owen Road and Adriaanse Avenue last Wednesday as they worked to address the overflow affecting Trinity Place and Clarke Estate.
According to the City, unidentified individuals emerged and robbed one worker of his cellphone.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the City’s mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, stated, ‘During the operation, a team member stationed at the sewer pump was held up at knifepoint and had his cellphone stolen.’
Badroodien noted that a police report has not yet been filed but emphasised the necessity for law enforcement assistance for future operations in the area.
‘The Directorate condemns any form of criminal activity as they impact on our ability to provide services to our residents. The anxiety and emotional distress of working in such an unpredictable environment cannot be underestimated and the City has provided counseling to the affected staff members through our Employee Wellness Program.’
Community leader Steve Ross expressed that the news was not surprising to him.
‘My suggestion is that if a team from the City is coming into these hotspot areas they should inform the local neighborhood watches and community leaders who have greater influence than the police and Law Enforcement.’
‘I am not shocked when I hear this kind of news, I am shocked that nothing was pre-planned because they are put at risk. The criminal activities have taken over and it’s repetitive, some areas in Elsies River are at high risk even police get attacked so City workers stand no chance.’
Also read:
New Bellville South clinic offers youth-friendly healthcare services
Picture: Darren Stewart / Gallo Images