A couple who went out for a bite to eat on Christmas Eve last year did not expect their night to end in an assault, but that is exactly what happened when a 57-year-old woman tried to intervene.
The News spoke to the couple who asked to remain anonymous as they are still very traumatised about the ordeal.
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*John explained that they were having renovations done to their house, so on December 24, 2022 at about 21:15 they decided to go to a local restaurant for a quick bite to eat. After having dinner John asked *Jane to pay the bill while he quickly walked to a nearby petrol station to buy some cigarettes. (*Pseudonym names — Ed.)
On his way back he noticed a security guard assaulting a woman with a sjambok. He stepped closer and asked him why he was hitting the woman to which he alleged the security guard told him that she was homeless and a drug user and they did not want those kinds of people at the centre.
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The woman ran away and in doing so, had dropped her bag and a very upset John walked to fetch his wife. He told Jane what he had witnessed and they decided to just drive past the spot again to see if the woman got away safely.
He believes that during the time that he went to fetch Jane, the woman had returned for her bag and as they drove past they saw the security guard hitting the woman again. Jane explained that she got out of the car, walked up to guard and asked why he was hitting the woman. She claims that the guard did not respond, but then he started assaulting Jane with the sjambok as well.
He hit her about seven times and when John got out of the car, the guard walked away. The couple was distraught and decided to open a case against the guard.
John said that in the days that followed he had heard form other people working in the area as well as other homeless persons that this was not a one-time occurrence.
The News spoke to some of the homeless in the area and was told they are assaulted regularly. They did, however, state that it is not just one security company’s guards that do this, and they were unable to name a specific person or company; nonetheless, Jane was able to identify the company for which the guard who assaulted her worked.
Krugersdorp Police spokesperson Captain Raymond Sebonyane confirmed a 20-year-old man has appeared briefly in the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on January 4 in connection with the incident. A case of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened.
The company in question responded to the News’ request for comment saying, “From the outset, we place on record that Seagull Watch has never implemented or condoned any unlawful behaviour, either against homeless persons or any other group of people. Seagull Watch believes in the constitution and the principle Rule of Law, which beliefs have been enshrined in the way we conduct business.
“With reference to the specific incident, we confirm that same is currently externally being investigated by the SAPS on the one hand and internally by ourselves on the other hand and that the specific employee has been suspended pending the outcome of the afore mentioned investigations. As such we are of the view that commenting on the merits of the allegations would at this stage be premature and do we request that internal and external investigations be allowed to run their course.
“In response to the allegations of other incidents alluded to in your email [from the News] under reply, we confirm that no such incidents or complaints have been brought to our attention.
We assure you that Seagull Watch takes allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and will deal with complaints in accordance with our disciplinary procedures and the legal frame work of South Africa.
“Finally we hereby reserve our rights in respect of any damages which will inevitably be suffered by us as a result of the premature publication of matter which have not been adjudicated on in the appropriate fora.”
Jane’s J88 form (the key document recording medical evidence that may be needed in order to obtain a conviction in an assault case) that was done at a private hospital and stated that she had bruises on both her arms, but she explained that she had bruises on her back as well.
She told the News that while she was attacked, she was in absolute shock and first did not register what was happening. She explained that she lifted her hand after feeling the first shot but did not make a peep. Explaining that it was not only the assault but the humiliation that went with it and the investigation afterwards.
Security is there to protect you not to assault you,” she said.
“We just want this story out there to help the next woman who gets attacked. It does not matter who they are, no one deserves to be attacked like that,” John added.
