Police in Northern KwaZulu Natal are investigating a case of murder and kidnapping following the shooting of two men, allegedly by security guards contracted by Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) in Richards Bay.
KwaZulu Natal SAPS spokesperson, Thembeka Mbele, said cases of murder, attempted murder and kidnapping had been opened at Mtubatuba and KwaMsane police stations following the execution-style shootings on Wednesday morning. One of the injured victims who managed to flee the scene of the shooting has been admitted to hospital.
“Charges of murder, attempted murder and kidnapping are being investigated by Mtubatuba SAPS,” said Mbele.
She said it had been alleged that the two men had been kidnapped in Richards Bay on March 22 at around 3pm before their kidnappers shot them in Mtubatuba and KwaMsane.
“The body of 27-year-old man was found at a farm with assault wounds and a gunshot wound to the head. He was declared dead at the scene. The 17-year-old man was shot and wounded and was found at Nseleni. A case of attempted murder was opened at KwaMsane SAPS. Both matters are still under investigation,” Mbele said.
According to TFR, security guards in the Richards Bay Junction area were “allegedly involved in a serious breach of their duties” in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
TFR said there had allegedly been a confrontation between the security guards and two young men in the area before the guards “kidnapped the two and took them to a deserted area, where they were tied up and shot”.
This latest incident brings into focus the recent tension simmering in the area, especially regarding supply chain links with the Port of Richards Bay. It was reported late in February that the All Truck Drivers Forum (ATDF), a notorious and unregistered labour vigilante organisation advocating for job protection in South Africa’s road freight sector, had been behind the disruption of truck traffic in Richards Bay. Transnet Port Terminals then warned in early March that it had received information from the South African Police Service of planned ATDF action in the area. The latest violent shooting shows that labour-related tension around the Port of Richards Bay appears to remain volatile.
