Private security firm adamant 4 VIP officers killed in EC shootout not involved in crime
Four of the seven people killed were security guards for KwaZulu-Natal VIP Protection Services, contracted to escort alleged extortion kingpin, Yanga ‘Bara’ Nyalara.
KZN VIP Protection Services security guards killed by Eastern Cape police. From left: Hlabekisa Shabangu, Bulelani Mbasa, Bonga Mtshali and Siphesihle Ndaba. Picture: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG - A private security firm is adamant that four of its officers who were killed by police in the Eastern Cape were not involved in any criminal activity.
On 20 February, the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention Unit, killed seven people during an alleged shootout in Butterworth.
Four of the seven people killed were security guards for KwaZulu-Natal VIP Protection Services, contracted to escort alleged extortion kingpin Yanga ‘Bara’ Nyalara.
The owner of KZN Protection Services, Glen Naidoo, said the company did a background check on Nyalara before accepting the job to escort him around the Eastern Cape.
He said while Nyalara had a long-documented history of being on the wrong side of the law, they didn’t find any pending cases against him.
Naidoo said it's sad that the on-duty security guards died at the hands of police.
“It’s really been heartbreaking. These four gentlemen that worked for us, they were really gentlemen. They didn’t smoke or drink. They were good Christians and had families they supported and sadly their lives had been cut shot because of some trigger happy cops.”
Eastern Cape police said the occupants of the car transporting Nyalara fired at them first. However, Naidoo said their guards are trained to always comply with law enforcement.
Police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID is currently investigating the matter.