Four contract workers mistaken for cable thieves killed in Cruywagen Park

Four electrical contract workers were killed last week Monday in Cruywagen Park.

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They had been dispatched to assist with a cable fault in the area.

The City of Ekurhuleni said electricians were requested to assist on the site of an electrical outage in Sarel Hattingh Street, Klippoortjie, Germiston.

It is believed the electrical contractors were attacked by an angry mob of community members who wrongfully assumed that these contractors were cable thieves.

“Despite the contractors producing their paperwork in the form of way leaves and other documentation, the community proceeded to attack them, which tragically resulted in their deaths,” said Warren Gwilt, spokesperson for the executive mayor.

Elsburg police spokesperson Daphey Phooko confirmed a case has been opened, but no arrests have been made.

Both the police and CoE are currently investigating the matter and the motive for the murders.

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Gwilt urged the community to refrain from violence.

“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,” said Gwilt.

City’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the city condemns the murder of the contractors.

“What makes the situation worse is that these victims were trying to assist with the stabilisation of electricity in the very same area where they were killed,” said Dlamini.

He said this will affect service delivery.

“How on earth do we allow our employees and contractors to move into communities after such a brutal attack?

“Unfortunately, this will affect our turnaround time to service delivery interruptions because our workers and contractors alike now fear for their lives. We cannot expose them to such risky situations until their safety is guaranteed,” said Dlamini.

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The deceased were workers of BMLL, a subcontractor for cable repairs in Germiston.

Elsburg resident Charlotte Klopper, who has been vocal on the issues of service delivery, said she condemns the incident.

“My heart is broken for the families, friends, and colleagues of these four workers.

“I’m disappointed and saddened because they were there to serve the community,” said Klopper.

She said the city needs to take residents seriously and start to attend to service delivery issues.

“I condemn what happened but I also understand the frustration of the community. We are not getting service delivery.

“We send complaints daily regarding electricity outages. We report it on the Ekurhuleni App but nothing ever gets done on time,” said Klopper.

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She said the city needs to take this as a warning and take service delivery forward.

“I am afraid that this might not be the last incident like this. Residents are frustrated and tired,” said Klopper.