Security guard doused in petrol and his shack set alight at a nursery in Dalmada
Local police are investigating a case of attempted murder after a security guard was recently attacked and set alight in Dalmada
POLOKWANE – 48-year-old Mpho Malahlela works at Mamahule Nursery as a security guard, and stays in a shack on the site. He told BONUS the incident happened at 01:00 last Wednesday morning, 13 February.
“I was alone in the shack when I heard footsteps. I went outside to investigate, and that is when someone threw liquid on me.”
Malahlela said by the smell, he instinctively knew it was petrol. Seconds later, his shack was set alight.
“I was blinded for a minute or so, and then I noticed the shack was on fire. Before I knew it, I had also caught fire. I tried with all my might to see who was attacking me, but I only noticed four men running to a car and driving off.”
It was at this point that he called some of his colleagues for assistance. They alerted the owner of the nursery, and the fire was doused with the help of the local community.
According to the Polokwane police, the perpetrators sped off in a Hyundai H100 delivery vehicle, with registration number DZX 831 L.
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Col Ngoepe Moatshe, said Malahlela sustained serious injuries to his head and hands. Cases of attempted murder and damage to property were opened.
The owner of the nursery, Pieter Booysen said more needs to be done to ensure safety, especially on the smallholdings.
“A worker was injured and I have lost a lot of money. The least that should happen is that justice should be served upon those who do wrong unto others. A life could have been lost because of greed. This is unacceptable,” he added.
