Guard killed at Muizenberg landfill site

A SECURITY guard was shot and killed on duty at the Coastal Park landfill site near Muizenberg, following attacks on the site since last week, the City said.

“The City is shocked and saddened by the murder and condemns the unjustified attacks in the strongest possible terms,” Mayco member for water and waste Xanthea Limberg said.

Limberg said a group of more than 100 people tried to force their way on to the site and they became violent when security personnel informed them this was not legally permitted.

Fires were started and weapons were fired at security personnel.

“The City is not legally permitted to allow public access to landfills due to the risk of injuries. We are aware that members of the surrounding communities wish to salvage waste for income.

“There is, however, no excuse for the violent acts and destruction of public infrastructure that have been committed over the past week,” Limberg said.

The Coastal Park site has been the target of a number of attacks in recent years, with damage to compactors and bulldozers being in excess of R5 million as of October last year.

“The fires remain a challenge, with the most recent one started on the night of February 22.

“Landfill gases are highly flammable and can burn for an extended time,” Limberg said.

Police spokesperson Siyabulela Malo said a case of murder and robbery was being investigated after the 40-year-old man was shot dead.

“Four suspects aged between 26 and 46 who are positively linked to the murder of a 40-year-old male, were arrested.

“According to reports, police attended the scene at the aforementioned address and discovered the body of the deceased, and it is alleged that he had been robbed of his belongings by a group of people who attacked him,” Malo said.