Three community members were wounded by a Public Safety officer’s firearm during a Brickvale Housing Project march on Monday, August 22. Two young men and a woman were admitted to hospital as a result.

Emmanuel Munyai from Ward 30 told the News that at about 10:00, more than 300 residents marched because they wanted the MMC of Human Settlements Danny Molefi Thupane to address them.

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They had three issues they wanted to raise: Firstly, the slow pace at which the project was being completed; secondly they claimed the people employed for the project were not local and came from other areas and that no Tarlton residents were employed on the project. The third issue was with the contractor who secured the contract for the project and allegedly appointed a family member as subcontractor.

The MMC came to address them and according to Munyai he told the crowd that he would come back to them with answers. He claimed that the community then agreed to leave. There were Public Safety officers on scene and while the MMC was leaving they walked him to his car. Munyai said no one was fighting, no roads were closed off and no infrastructure was damaged.

He alleged that while the crowd was dispersing a Public Safety officer shot three people. The two young men allegedly are still in hospital while the woman has already been discharged.

The News asked Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) for comment and William Nchefu the Manager of Public Safety confirmed the shooting incident.

He said between 300 to 400 disgruntled community members gathered to address the MMC about their grievances.

“This team of security officers were deployed to provide security services as usual for gatherings of this nature. It is alleged that post the address of the MMC a number of dissatisfied members of the community stormed the MMC, and officials and others rushed to lock the gates to prohibit them from exiting the area,” Nchefu explained.

He believed at one stage the community were not happy with the response they received and what followed was a type of hostage drama by the community.

In the process a scuffle, pushing and shuffle ensued, and the aggressive members of the community were trying to grab a firearm from the holster of an officer. During his tussle for possession of the firearm with this member of the community, a shot went off accidentally and the crowd dispersed.

“It is alleged that three members of the community were injured in the process,” he explained.

Nchefu added an investigation by the police is underway and a case has been opened with the Tarlton police.

West Rand District Police spokesperson Sergeant Carmen Hendricks confirmed a case has been opened and under investigation.