The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) is in the process of increasing security at the Bedfordview Licensing Department, after ammunition and smoke grenades were found at the office.
The NEWS previously reported on February 14 that smoke grenades and ammunition were discovered inside a locked safe at the Bedfordview Licencing Department.
“The devices seemed to have been there for some time and have been booked in at Bedfordview SAPS,” said Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson Andre de Jager.
The items found were two live smoke grenades, six live R4 rounds and one live 20mm bullet.
De Jager said no foul play was suspected and they are unaware of who placed the devices in the safe.
CoE spokesperson Themba Gadebe confirms the devices were found at about 8am at the EMPD drivers licence testing centre on Nicol Road.
“It is an unfortunate incident and the department will endeavour to put safety measures in place to ensure that it does not happen in future,” said Gadebe.
This is the first incident of this nature at the department.
He added employees have been made aware of possible incidents of this nature and have gone for counselling sessions.
“In such an incident the manager in charge will first establish any danger to the employees, if there is danger, employees will evacuate the building and inform senior management.
“SAPS, EMPD and CoE monitoring unit will immediately be called on site,” said Gadebe.
According to Gadebe, the department is fitted with alarms and cameras as well as physical security and CoE is in the process of increasing security, awaiting a risk assessment report.
“In the meantime, everyone coming in on a daily basis is checked for firearms.
“The safe will on a weekly basis be repacked and checked for any irregularities,” said Gadebe.
Gadebe added the department does have enough security guards to carry out security duties day and night, and based on the outcome of the risk assessment there is a possibility of increasing numbers and equipment.
“The department sees the incident in a serious light and will ensure vigilance on the improvement of the daily checklist of all our centres,” said Gadebe.
