The Witness reports that following a surge in attacks on municipal employees while on duty, Msunduzi Municipality’s security team has begun escorting employees to work sites.

In a press report published in January, employees stated that they were being robbed at gunpoint and were losing their belongings. Between January and August last year, at least four incidents of robbery of employees at gunpoint had been reported. Mxolisi Mkhize, deputy mayor and chair of the infrastructure portfolio committee, outlined the city’s plans for employee safety: “When the park employees are cutting grass, you will see a security vehicle parked there or patrolling. They can’t cut the grass on the side of the road by themselves because they are robbed in broad daylight. If ever the security is not around, it means that you can’t deploy them to go and perform their duties.” He added that the situation was especially troubling for them as a service department specifically tasked with serving the community. “We are working with law enforcement agencies to make sure that we continue rendering services,” Mkhize indicated.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntombizethu Ngcobo at The Witness
• Read too, eThekwini mayor to beef up security in the city after fatal shooting of AKA and friend, at EWN

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