Richards Bay-based water board Mhlathuze Water says it is with “shock and regret” that it has learnt of the hijacking and robbery of an engineering consultant engaged by it to assist in the restoration of water infrastructure in the uMkhanyakude district, in the far north of KwaZulu-Natal.
On December 15, two engineers from Ziyanda Consulting were reportedly accosted by armed suspects while conducting an inspection of a water storage tank and pump station in the Mntikini area of Umkhanyakude.
The engineer’s double-cab Toyota Hilux bakkie was hijacked in the incident and the engineers were subsequently taken into a nearby forest where they were allegedly held hostage for nearly six hours.
During this time, the engineers were allegedly robbed of their personal belongings, including bank cards and laptops.
While the two engineers were not physically harmed and were ultimately able to find their way to safety and report the robbery to the South African Police Service, Mhlathuze Water says it regrets the mental and emotional trauma inflicted upon them.
Such criminal behaviour, the water board states, also places in a risky position the urgent task of delivering water to thousands of households in the uMkhanyakude district.
Mhlathuze Water spokesperson Siyabonga Maphumulo says the incident is both unfortunate and unnecessary.
“This unconscionable act is a definite setback to our efforts of supplying water to uMkhanyakude as mandated by Water and Sanitation Minister 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,” says Maphumulo.