A security guard has been shot dead and another critically injured during a municipal inspection of janitorial services in Site B, Khayelitsha.

According to the City’s water and sanitation directorate bystanders opened fire on the private security officers who were accompanying the municipal inspectors. They were evaluating taps and toilets.

Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien says it’s unacceptable that it has become a norm for officials on the front line of service delivery to have life-threatening experiences while at work. He notes that the budget for security escorts shot up to more than R8 million for this financial year. The previous year about R2 million was set aside.

There has been sharp rise in City staff being targeted while responding to service delivery needs.