A brutal assault allegedly carried out by a security officer on a Pick n Pay employee, had social media buzzing this past week after it was claimed the attack was ordered by the manager of the store on 6 July in Ivory Park.
An Hadlisa Security company employee has been arrested in connection with the assault. Economic Freedom Fighters Chief Whip Sepetlele Raseruthe alleged that Pick n Pay store manager, Obed Chauke, instructed his employee to be beaten by a security guard after an argument.
Nothing could be verified, as Chauke and the victim could not be reached for comment.
EFF Chief Whip Sepetlele Raseruthe and Fawu shop steward Godfrey Moleko.
Pick n Pay assistant store manager Ellington Mabena said he did not witness the assault but has heard of it. “I’m uncertain if Chauke has been suspended, but all I know is that he has not been coming to work ever since the alleged incident took place,” he said.
“The rest of the staff members said they do not want to see him at the store because they do not feel safe after what allegedly happened to one of their colleagues.”
The Hadlisa Security employee, who is a suspect in the assault case, was arrested on 11 July and was due to appear in the Tembisa Magistrates’ Court on 12 July. Ivory Park Police Station communication officer, Captain Bernard Matimulane, has confirmed the arrest of an Hadlisa Security employee on a charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
On 7 July, the Food and Allied Workers Union (Sawu), led by shop steward Godfrey Moleko, protested outside the Ivory Park Pick n Pay in support of the victim. On 8 July and 9 July, the Economic Freedom Fighters held a protest inside the store.
EFF and Fawu make their presence felt at Ivory Park Pick n Pay after the assault of an employee.
Mabena said the numerous protests affected business because the store was forced to shut down early for a couple of days. Mabena said the case is being internally investigated by Pick n Pay Gauteng regional manager Mohammed Timol. Moleko said Fawu demands that Chauke is banned from working in all Gauteng retail stores.
It has not yet been established whether or not Chauke instructed the security guard to assault the victim. After numerous attempts, Timol and Hadlisa Security could not be reached to comment on the incident.
Details: Ivory Park Police Station 011 990 9618.
Does this incident open a gap for counselling to be made available by companies in the retail industry to avoid people taking out their frustrations on employees and visa verse? Tweet @MidrandReporter
