Karabo Rammutla
Kidnapping, hijackings and beatings are some of the challenges City of Tshwane officials face when doing their work in the townships.
On Sunday an electrician from Soshanguve’s electricity depot driving a municipal vehicle was hijacked in Winterveldt.
The thugs left the canopy behind and later dumped the technician in Soshanguve.
The city’s spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, said the man is still in shock after the ordeal.
Mashigo said the municipal vehicle has still not been found. The car was last seen next to Sister Mercy School.
“Only the bakkie’s canopy was found. The tracker is trying to locate the vehicle,” Mashigo said.
Early this year a City of Tshwane electrician landed in ICU after he was severely beaten up by community members while attending to a power outage in Soshanguve.
In May, three armed thieves attacked Eskom technicians and robbed them in block E of Mabopane, Tshwane.
Soon after, Benjamin Dube, a superintendent at the electricity depot in Soshanguve, became the latest victim in attacks on city employees.
Dube, 63, was allegedly held hostage and assaulted by community members while attending to a power outage.
Resident Oupa Masemola of Mamelodi said residents must work together to oust criminals who target municipal workers.
“In winter when we had a lot of power cuts, we had to protect technicians and make sure no one intimidated them.
“If as the community we don’t protect these workers they will end up not wanting to work in the townships and we will suffer,” he said.
Mashigo condemned the attack on the city’s employees.
“The city’s employees are there to assist the community. Communities must defend and protect them,” he said.
