CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS UNDERWAY INTO THE MURDER OF CITY APPOINTED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

9 March 2023

On Monday, 06 March 2023, City of Ekurhuleni electricians requested assistance from city-approved electrical contractors to assist on the site of an electrical outage in Sarel Hattingh Street, Klippoortjie AH, Germiston.

These electrical contractors, says Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation and Energy Cllr Senzi Sibeko, 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 wayleaves and other documentation, the community proceeded to attack them, which tragically resulted in the death of four (4) contractors.

Both the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department are currently investigating the matter.

“It has been brought to my attention that the details of this heinous crime have been circulated to the media by a political party represented in council. I want to implore leaders of political parties to refrain from sharing information that is still subject to investigation in order to not muddy the waters and prejudice investigations underway by law-enforcement agencies.

“Equally, it is insensitive to the families of the deceased that their rights to privacy and dignity in this painful period are infringed upon for political point scoring. I want to plead with our communities and ask that you refrain from engaging in acts of violence and vigilante justice and 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.

“I would like to express my heartfelt condolence to the families and loved ones of the contractors who were victims of senseless acts of violence,” said MMC Sibeko.

Statement issued by the City of Ekurhuleni, 9 March 2023