Two security guards were shot dead at the Hamberg Train Station on Saturday, May 2.

According to Kurt Edwards, who lives opposite the station, he was at home with his family at about 23:30 when he heard gunshots.

“There were several shots fired. I’m not sure how many. I immediately posted to the local security WhatsApp groups and called the police.”

He said that after it got quiet, he went outside.

“The security guard from the nearby high school called me and asked if I would accompany him to check what was going on at the station.”

Edwards said that other security companies, AfriForum patrollers and the police responded within minutes.

“When we got to the station, we found one security guard seriously wounded. He was clinging to life, and first responders immediately intervened to try and save his life.”

While checking the rest of the station, Edwards said he heard a noise coming from tall grass next to the platform.

“This is where we found the second severely injured security guard. He was in a bad way, and first responders did what they could for him. Unfortunately, both died from their injuries within minutes.”

AfriForum Roodepoort chairperson Werner Brits said they were on patrol when a post came through on one of their emergency groups.

Also read: Man arrested and drugs seized in Cosmo City bust
“We immediately rushed to the scene, where we came upon the severely injured men. A third security guard eventually emerged. He had run away when the shots started, and he came out of hiding when he saw us.

“According to the guard, they were on duty when one of the guards spotted a tall man in an orange top walking on the tracks from Georginia direction and approaching Hamberg Station.

“One of the guards approached him to tell him to get off the tracks, when he suddenly pulled out a firearm and started shooting.

“The guard managed to run a short distance, but collapsed in the tall grass.

“The shooter approached him and stole his cellphone and firearm before continuing to the station.

“Another guard tried to hide behind the station building, but the suspect saw him and gunned him down also, before continuing along the train tracks in the direction of Florida, randomly firing his gun as he went.”

Brits further stated that they and other private security officers walked along the tracks to see if they could find the shooter, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“We did manage to find the stolen cellphone, where the suspect had dropped it on the tracks.”

District police communication co-ordinator Lieutenant-Colonel Mpho Tshetlane confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.

A case of murder has been opened at the Florida Police Station after two security guards were shot and succumbed to their injuries. No one has been arrested yet.

“We appeal to community members with information regarding the incident or any information that might assist police investigations to come forward,” Tshetlane said.

You can contact the nearest police station or the police’s Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS App to provide tip-offs anonymously.