Six security guards working at the National Post Office in Pretoria are facing charges of attempted murder after they allegedly shot at workers who were picketing outside the post office on Wednesday.
According to the police, the disgruntled workers, who have been picketing for almost two weeks, were having their normal peaceful picket when they were allegedly told that they should not cross a certain line at the premises. It is not known what triggered the shooting in which eight picketers were injured and taken to hospital.
The picketers scrambled to safety as they tried to outrun the gun-wielding security guards, but not all of them escaped uninjured.
Police spokeswoman Captain Pinky Tsinyane said after all the commotion, eight people were found injured and had to be taken to hospital.
“Police arrested six security guards and confiscated four short guns and two pistols in the process,” said Tsinyane.
The men aged from 25 to 35 years were arrested and taken to the Pretoria Central police station where they were charged. Tsinyane said police were still not sure what led to the shooting, but they were investigating the case.
“Investigations are still ongoing and the suspects will appear at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of attempted murder,” said Tsinyane.
Pretoria News