Electrical contractors were attacked by an angry mob of community members who wrongfully assumed they were cable thieves.
According to Senzi Sibeko, MMC for Water, Sanitation and Energy, the City of Ekurhuleni electricians requested assistance from city-approved electrical contractors on March 6 to assist on the site of an electrical outage in Sarel Hattingh Street, Klippoortjie AH, Germiston.
“Despite the contractors producing their paperwork in the form of wayleaves and other documentation, the community proceeded to attack them, which tragically resulted in the death of four contractors,” said Sibeko.
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The SAPS and the EMPD are investigating the matter.
“It has been brought to my attention that the details of this heinous crime have been circulated to the media by a political party represented in council,” said Sibeko.
“I want to implore leaders of political parties to refrain from sharing information that is still subject to investigation to not muddy the waters and prejudice investigations underway by law enforcement agencies.
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Equally, it is insensitive to the families of the deceased that their rights to privacy and dignity in this painful period are infringed upon for political point scoring.
“I want to plead with our communities and ask that you refrain from engaging in acts of violence and vigilante justice and to allow city officials, or contractors in the employ of the city, to do their work to ensure that communities receive the services that they deserve.
“I would like to express my heartfelt condolence to the families and loved ones of the contractors who were victims of senseless acts of violence.”
