Four security guards are fighting for their lives at a medical facility in Cape Town following a shooting incident.

Community members say the four were shot by criminals who were demanding money in an extortion racket that is, among other issues, delaying the construction of houses in the area.

The four were reportedly sitting in the security guard room at the Luyolo Construction site in Gugulethu when unknown suspects came and randomly fired several shots at them.

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Captain Frederick Van Wyk, says police are investigating four counts of an attempted murder case following the incident at the construction site.

The Luyolo project site, part of the broader Airport Precinct project, has been beset by work stoppages for months due to various extortion demands and shooting incidents.

Construction commenced in September 2020 and has been riddled with interruptions since March this year.

A community member says the shooting incident is yet another delay for those in need of houses.

Speaking to Scrolla.Africa, the community member says she was on her way to town when she heard a gunshot.

“I thought someone was being robbed, and it never crossed my mind that it might be extortion criminals. If they continue asking for extortion fees, no one will want to come and build houses for them,” says the community member.

She says criminals in the area “want easy money” and this delays development.

The resident says no one will ever stop criminals from demanding money from business people.

“This is escalating, and our government has lost to these criminals. This doesn’t only happen [in] Cape Town, but [in] other provinces,” she added.

The Western Cape MEC for infrastructure, Tertius Simmers, has condemned the shooting. He says continued lawlessness and thuggery from the so-called construction mafias causes unnecessary delays in finalising the noteworthy project.

“I wish to extend my good wishes and speedy recovery to the brave officers who protected the project site. In addition, the colleagues who witnessed this horrific incident are currently receiving trauma counselling.

“My department will continue to assist the injured officers and their families in overcoming this unfortunate and deeply traumatic experience,” says Simmers.

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