Two men who allegedly held up construction workers in NY3 in Gugulethu have been shot dead. The pair in their twenties and armed had demanded that the workers hand over their cash and mobile phones.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi says one of the victims then allegedly fired shots at the suspects fatally wounding them. A case of business robbery is being investigated and an inquest has also been opened. Swartbooi says a firearm recovered from the scene will be sent for ballistic testing.  The Gugulethu Clinic has also been temporarily closed following the shooting. It’s understood the construction workers are part of a company tarring the parking area of the medical facility.

The City’s Mayoral Commitee Member for Community Services and Health Councillor Zahid Badroodien says clinic staff and patients will receive trauma counselling. Badroodien says it’s appalling that the lives of the very people who serve communities and who have stayed standing amidst the pandemic are disregarded.

He notes that health staff has become the targets of hijackings, robbery, and abuse.

[Picture: File / Radio 786]