Chinese Beat Security Guard Unconscious
A shocking act of violence has been uncovered at the Sierra Leone National Stadium in Brookfields, Freetown, where a security guard was allegedly attacked and severely beaten by Chinese workers employed by the General Construction and Industrial Group of China (GCIGC).
The victim, Mr. William Gray, was on night duty overseeing the security of the ongoing stadium renovation project when the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, January 26, 2024, between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM.
According to Mr. Gray, while conducting a routine patrol, he noticed a piece of company equipment lying on the ground and decided to move it to a safer location. As he made his way back to his post, he encountered a group of Chinese workers, who appeared to be intoxicated after returning from a nearby club. Without any warning or questioning, one of them allegedly picked up a shovel and struck Mr. Gray on the head, knocking him to the ground.
“They beat me mercilessly, leaving me helpless on the floor, half dead,” Mr. Gray recounted in agony. He lay bleeding until his colleagues arrived at the scene and rushed to assist him.
Mr. Alfred Tucker, the Deputy Manager of GCIGC, confirmed that he received a distress call early that morning while preparing for church. Upon reaching the site, he was informed that Mr. Gray had been brutally assaulted by some Chinese workers, who claimed he had attempted to steal from the company.
Mr. Tucker acknowledged that Mr. Gray suffered head injuries and stated that he is currently gathering facts about the incident, as he was not present when it occurred. A visit to the crime scene revealed bloodstains scattered across the compound, highlighting the severity of the attack.
This medium has also gathered that the Chinese employers have not been paying local employees NASSIT. They are calling on the Ministry of Labour and Employment to investigate this allegation.
This brutal assault has sparked outrage, raising concerns about the maltreatment of local workers and the behavior of foreign employees involved in major construction projects in Sierra Leone, particularly the Chinese GCIGC.
This medium is calling on President Julius Maada Bio, who has pledged to protect the rights of all Sierra Leonean citizens, as well as the Parliamentary Committee on Labour, the Ministry of Labour, the Sierra Leone Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Civil Society Organizations, and other relevant authorities to ensure justice is served. There is an urgent need for thorough investigations and accountability to prevent such incidents from recurring.
