BUILDERS Warehouse jobseekers in Lonehill allegedly got a thorough beating from the new security personnel.
Two, who only identified themselves as Leeroy and Duncan, were discharged from Helen Joseph Hospital on 22 August after sustaining rib and leg injuries allegedly following a heavy pummelling by security guards wearing green camouflage.
“I was beaten like a snake by five white security guards. I doubt if I would be able to work for my family again because my chest is damaged,” said Duncan who was speaking from his bed of agony in Diepsloot. He lamented about the welfare of his children who, he said, were currently suffering as he was not able to work.
“This is bad. To make matters worse, they never revealed why they were beating me. They just grabbed me, tied my hands with cable ties and started assaulting my ribs and chest. I have never witnessed such cruelty on man by man,” said Duncan.
He ruled out any chances of opening a police case against his assailants.
“The police need a doctor’s confirmation and, before I get that, I must get a form from the police. I don’t think the police will give me such a form to take to the hospital,” said Duncan.
Leeroy said his leg was still swollen, adding that he was recovering at home. “I am not working at the moment. They assaulted my legs until I could not feel pain anymore. I had to be carried home as I could not walk.”
The security site manager, who declined to identify himself, denied the assault claims. “We never beat them up as we do not have any right to do so,” he said before refusing to take further questions when this paper confronted him.
He, however, accused the jobseekers of trespassing on Builders Warehouse premises. “This is private property and we are only keeping them out of these premises,” he said.
The main entrance to the shop was temporarily closed on 23 August as the new security chaps stepped up efforts to keep the jobseekers at bay.
The desperate workers lamented the hostile environment which was introduced by the new security squad. “They are physically pulling us out of vehicles of people picking us for jobs. They tell them that we are thugs and must not be given work. Since last Friday business has been bad,” lamented one jobseeker who also declined to be identified for fear of victimisation.
