Cape Town - The shooting in Bellville South of two private security officers which was followed by one of them being robbed of his firearm has sparked outrage among residents in the area.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut said the incident occurred last Saturday at around 1.40am.
He said two ADT security officers responded to an alarm call-out at a liquor store, on the corner of Frank Louw and Nichols Street in Bellville South.
“As the officers stopped in front of the store they were approached by a group of people. One person produced a firearm and shot at them,” said Traut.
Traut said the suspects fled with a security officer’s firearm. Both suffered gunshot wounds and were admitted to hospital. Police are investigating cases of attempted murder and robbery.
No arrests have been made.
ADT Security’s Coastal general manager, Adrian Good, said the company condemned attacks on their officers.
“We wish our two injured colleagues a speedy and full recovery. ADT has offered trauma counselling services to both officers and to their relatives. ADT Security’s armed response officers are some of the best and most well-equipped private security officers in the country,” he said.
David Sias, the chairman of the Bellville South community policing forum (CPF), said residents were outraged by the incident. He said an urgent meeting was called by the CPF and the local neighbourhood watches to discuss the incident.
“This is a big concern to us. We rely on (armed response officers) to keep our area safe. An attack on police and private security is an attack on the community,” he said.
Sias said it was not the first attack of its kind in the area.
“A few years ago ambulances were attacked and people became hostile to the police,” he said.
“We won’t allow criminals to attack our police and security.”
Dave Waywell, the provincial chairman of the Security Association South Africa, said: “Unfortunately, it happens that armed response guys are easy targets. When you are one person and you are confronted by five criminals it can be a scary circumstance.”
Waywell said criminal activities increased over the festive season.
“We put in training for our guys so that they are fully aware of what can possibly happen when out on the ground.”
Johan Burger, of the Institute for Security Studies, said attacks on private security companies was likely to happen.
“One can argue that it’s more likely to happen to private security institutes than police as police are often regarded to be better trained.”
Joan Smith, of the Plattekloof, Welgelegen and Panorama (PWP) Neighbourhood Watch, said she was shocked by the incident.
She said security companies were now being forced to rethink their dispatch procedures. “It is worrying,” said Smith.
“It seems the more we have security, the more violent it becomes. Before, (criminals) use to steal cars, now they hijack. It’s a modus operandi that will soon spread.”
Cape Argus
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