Tragic shooting: two security guards killed while escorting delivery van in Langa
Two security guards from Security Consortium SA were fatally shot while on duty in Langa, Cape Town on Monday night.
The delivery van, marked with the company’s insignia, was travelling the streets of Langa when unknown assailants fired shots at the vehicle, targeting the officers inside.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said Langa detectives registered two counts of murder following a shooting incident on Monday evening at about 6.26pm at Harry Gwala Street opposite the Langa taxi rank, where two males (security guards) aged 24 and 31 were shot and fatally wounded.
“According to reports, the security guards were escorting a delivery vehicle and the last delivery was in Langa. On their way back to the circle, it is alleged that two unknown males shot at the white Nissan LDV they were driving in, fatally wounding them. Nothing was taken from them, both firearms were recovered in the vehicle.
“The motive is suspected to be robbery.”
Anyone with information about this fatal shooting incident is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Lt Col Adrian Pretorius attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Investigations on 082 777 8499 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
A community leader who refused to be named warned delivery companies not to go into Langa after hours.
“We have met with security companies and shared our concerns about delivering goods in the evenings. We have asked them to do that when people are moving around, which is the morning and up to around 4pm.
“And we now believe that those delivering in the evenings are on a mission and this could have been an inside job, where drivers communicate with criminals to intercept them.
“We urge these companies to keep their employees safe and also the security companies should ask the police for escort.”
Security officers have been killed in the area before, he said.
On July 25, 2024, a 33-year-old male was killed while escorting a delivery van.
According to Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, the victim died on the scene while his wounded partner was rushed to hospital.
The community leader said: “In one incident, the motive for the shooting was to get their guns.
“In the second shooting, police confiscated guns from criminals during a raid, and firearms were seized. The criminals then decided to shoot security guards and stole their weapons.
“We condemn these killings and ask everyone to be vigilant.”
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za