Durban — Mhlathuze Water has condemned the hijacking and robbery of two engineers working on a water restoration project in uMkhanyakude.
Mhlathuze Water spokesperson Siyabonga Maphumulo said the entity noted with shock and regret the hijacking and robbery of an engineering consultant employed by the water board to assist with the restoration of water infrastructure in the uMkhanyakude District in the far-north of KwaZulu-Natal.
Maphumulo said that last Thursday, two engineers from Ziyanda Consulting were accosted by gunmen while conducting an inspection of a water storage tank and pump station in the Mntikini area of uMkhanyakude. A double cab Toyota Hilux bakkie was hijacked in the incident and the pair were subsequently taken into a nearby forest where they were held hostage for nearly six hours.
He said that during this time, the engineers were robbed of their personal belongings including bank cards and laptops.
He also said that while the engineers were not physically harmed and were able to find their way to safety and report the robbery to the police, Mhlathuze Water regrets the mental and emotional trauma visited upon them.
Maphumulo said added that the criminal behaviour also places in a risky position the very urgent task of delivering water to thousands of households in the uMkhanyakude District.
He also described the incident as unconscionable.
“It is both unfortunate and unnecessary that in exchange for their dedication, our engineers should be confronted by ruthless criminals.
“This unconscionable act is a definite setback to our efforts of supplying water to uMkhanyakude as mandated by the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu.
“We appeal to the public to work with us in keeping our contractors and employees safe from criminal elements if we are to successfully complete the task at hand,” Maphumulo said.
Earlier this year, brazen criminals hijacked a KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, community safety and liaison vehicle being used by officials repairing flood damage in Durban.
Department technicians were travelling from a site where they were fixing the L1159 road in Umbumbulu, south of Durban, which was washed away during April heavy rains and flooding.
The technicians were held up at gunpoint and the suspects fled in the department's white Ford Ranger double cab.
The department said a case of car-jacking was opened and the police were investigating.
Daily News