Security guards arrested for assault and extortion
EMMARENTIA – A resident claims she was assaulted by five Johannesburg Botanical Garden security guards on 7 August, after they had accused her daughter and partner of having sex in public.
Parkview resident Cindy Randall claims she was pushed and beaten by five security guards of the Johannesburg Botanical Garden in Emmarentia.
This comes after the security guards allegedly accused Randall’s daughter and her partner of having sex in public.
“My daughter and her partner were enjoying a picnic at the park when suddenly five security guards jumped the bushes, approached them and accused them of public indecency,” said Randall.
“My daughter has morals and values and she could not have done what she was accused off,” added Randall.
Randall explained that the security guards then ordered the young couple into the garden’s offices and requested them to pay R1 500 fine and promised to release them.
My daughter is only 22 years old and she couldn’t afford to pay such an amount, said Randall. She explained that when she was notified of the incident she immediately went to the garden to assist the young couple, when she got there, she looked for a log book, but nothing was logged regarding the alleged incident. “I then started taking pictures of the security guards, because I thought they were trying to extort money from my daughter and her boyfriend, but while I was taking photos, four of the security guards pushed and hit me on my upper body – I even have papers from [Netcare] Milpark Hospital to prove that I was hit,” she said.
Randall said she immediately moved away and contacted Parkview Police Station, which she said responded within minutes.
Randall said she opened a case of assault and extortion against the guards.
“I would like people to come forward if a similar incident has happened to them to ensure that we stop this corruption and people are able to enjoy our parks again without fear,” said Randall.
Parkview Police spokesperson Sergeant Lloyd Ramovha said, “I can confirm that it is true, the incident did happen. The suspects are aged between 22 and 33 and they appeared briefly in the Hillbrow Magistrates’ Court on 7 August. However, the case was struck from the court roll, the accused were released, pending further investigation, but the case can still be reinstated,” said Sgt Ramovha.
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