Caught off guard
Three members of the Red Ants were busy with the clean-up on Tuesday when they were surrounded by several people. One opened fire, hitting three Red Ants personnel in the chest, inflicting critical injuries on them.He continued firing his gun and a fourth staff member was injured in the shoulder as he disarmed and overpowered the shooter, taking possession of the gun as he kept firing.
Bosch said the Red Ants cleaning crew were taken off guard. “We have guards protecting the cleaners, but they were taken by surprise. A group of men approached and one suddenly pulled out a gun and started shooting at the workers at close range. “We are prepared to bring in an additional 5 000 members if necessary to protect our cleaning crews if we have to. We will not be intimidated.” South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) national spokesman Papikie Mohale denied it was their members who had committed the crime. “They are cleaners, who do not carry guns – it is the Joburg metro police officers who have guns – not us. We deny they did any shooting,” he said. Pikitup spokesman Jacky Mashapu could not be reached for comment last night. –IOL (Anna Cox and Kgopi Mabotja)