While keeping a close eye on the beer delivery truck he was escorting through Kwanoxolo, a security guard was ambushed by two armed men and murdered for his firearm on Thursday.
The man, 31, became the second guard from the Fidelity Services Group to be gunned down in the line of duty in the city over the past week.
“We are still preparing for a colleague’s funeral after his murder on Saturday, now we have to attend another scene where one of our guys has been killed,” a Fidelity employee said at the scene.
“Is this job even still worth doing?”
Thursday’s incident was the latest in a string of attacks on security operatives in recent months where they have been targeted for their firearms.
These are, according to experts, fed back onto the streets where criminals use them to commit further atrocities.
Fidelity Services Group chief executive Wahl Bartmann said the incident took place in Peter Street at about 10am while the guard and his partner were conducting an armed escort service.
“Two suspects stormed the vehicle our officers were driving in and started firing at them.
“The driver was shot several times and declared dead on the scene.”
Bartmann said the guard’s colleague managed to return fire.
The attackers fled with the driver’s firearm.
“I am deeply saddened by this horrific attack on our officers,” Bartmann said.
“On behalf of the company, I send my deepest condolences to the friends and family of our officer and we will work with the SA Police Service to track down the suspects and bring them to book.”
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said they were investigating a case of murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery.
“The security officials escorted a liquor truck while doing deliveries in Peter Street, Kwanoxolo.
“When they reached their destination they parked about 20m from the premises.
“Two unknown males approached on both sides of the vehicle. Firearms were pointed at the victims.
“The driver [was shot]. His firearm was taken and he succumbed to his injuries.”
She said the name of the deceased was being withheld until his next of kin had been notified.
Several Fidelity guards had responded to the scene.
“I didn’t know him very well, but I know no-one deserves to die like this,” one officer said.
“We are no longer safe. Forget about the goods we are escorting — we are now the targets.”
The vehicle was still parked in front of a house, several metres from Fluffy’s Place tavern where the delivery had taken place.
Dozens of onlookers gathered at the scene where the operative’s body was still slumped over in the driver’s seat.
However, while some claimed no knowledge of what had transpired, others were reluctant to share what they had seen or heard.
“Around here you don’t talk, or you could be next,” an onlooker said.
Employees at Fluffy’s Place said they were unsure what had occurred outside the establishment as they had been offloading stock for the weekend.
“We were busy carrying crates from the truck to our storeroom when we heard the shots,” an employee said.
“We just took cover until we were sure the coast was clear.”
On Saturday, a 30-year-old armed response officer from Fidelity was shot dead while on duty in Perseverence.
His firearm was also taken.
In 2022, three other Fidelity guards were killed for their firearms while escorting bread delivery trucks in two separate incidents in Nelson Mandela Bay.
University of the Free State associate professor in anthropology, Prof Theodore Petrus, said criminals were becoming fearless and relentless in the pursuit of firearms, which they then used to commit further violence.
“Security guards and even police are just as vulnerable to opportunistic crime as other members of the public.
“Human life has little value to these hardened criminals,” Petrus said.
Janse van Rensburg said the police were appealing to anyone who could assist in tracing the culprits to contact the Bethelsdorp police or their nearest police station.
All information received will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
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