A disgruntled worker at the Swellendam municipality is facing an attempted murder charge after he hurled a petrol bomb at his boss’s office.
|||A disgruntled worker at the Swellendam municipality is facing an attempted murder charge after he hurled a petrol bomb at his boss’s office.
The worker was part of a group of municipal staff who apparently attended a farewell party for a retiring co-worker on Thursday night.
They were, however, stopped by their boss when they arrived late for work yesterday.
Police say that when the worker arrived late, municipal manager Nico Nel ordered him to take a breathalyser test. But he refused.
An argument ensued and the man became aggressive, according to police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk.
Police say initial reports suggest that the worker left the building, then later returned with three petrol bombs.
Van Wyk said a “big bang” was heard outside the building. When security guards went to investigate, they caught the man with two petrol bombs in his possession.
“Only minor damage, mostly burn marks, was caused to the window of the building. The suspect was apprehended by security guards and handed over to police,” he said.
Van Wyk added that the man would remain in custody until his court appearance on attempted murder charges on Monday.
Local Government MEC Anton Bredell said the municipality would institute disciplinary steps against the worker.
“There are other avenues, including proper grievance systems where an official can lodge their complaints if he or she is unhappy at work. Violence and criminal behaviour is never an option.”
warda.meyer@inl.co.za - Weekend Argus
