Reporter Marcel Theroux and film director James Brabazon documented armed security guards in Pretoria in a documentary. They recorded a patrol with armed response guard Andries Hlongwane who works for a security company and observe as he chased down gunmen and recovered stolen cars.
LIFE-THREATENING WORK
It’s dangerous work in the security industry which accounts for seven percent of all jobs in South Africa, Brabazon reports as the documentary starts with security guards in pursuit of a hijacked vehicle. Hlongwane and his partner find it abandoned but while waiting for police hear the cries of a woman being robbed across the street.
Hlongwane races to help her and chases off the robbers.
A few minutes later a passing driver warns the team he’s driven past a gang of armed hijackers at a junction less than 100m away. The police arrive and chaos erupts as shots are fired.
The sad reality of SA’s hijacking horror:
It’s alarming that, despite being close to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the hijackers have no compunction about firing automatic weapons.
According to the documentary, the lack of police protection in many areas is the primary reason for the influx of guards in SA – about 400 000.
The film crew interviewed hijackers who claimed they stole vehicles for export to African countries. The thugs told Theroux they were armed with guns, baseball bats and knives, and if anyone tried to stop them they often disable them with two shots to the stomach…
South Africa Today – South Africa News
