In hot water over Disney stickers

I am a big supporter of Dis-Chem, and I most probably always will be. Now unfortunately I have had a bit of a misunderstanding (and for the sensitive snowflakes out there that will most probably have their 2 cents about my wording used (misunderstanding), I do ever so value your opinion and thank you) so getting back to my misunderstanding with Dis-Chem Mall of the South, I went to collect my chronic medication on 17/08/2021, got everything else I needed and proceeded to the check out. Eventually got to the front of the line and till number 12 or 14 (I think) opened and I proceeded towards it. Now on my way towards till 12 or 14 in that isle where you walk past all the other shoppers paying and fumbling with their goods, there on the floor after till number 3, laid some of these new Disney stickers that Dis-Chem has a promotion on. I picked them up, thinking it's a customer that have dropped it, biggest mistake ever. The next day the branch manager phoned me, and by the sounds of it accused me of *****ing these stickers off the till counter in front of the checkout lady, a bunch of other remarks was made etc. I told him I would return these stickers over the weekend, unfortunately we had a death in the family and some more important issues arose. So long story short I returned 24/08/2021 to Dis-Chem handing over the stickers I had to the security lady, but now I am getting threats that the security company want to open a case against me. I have spoken to the branch manager stating that I did return these stickers and I do not have any interest in collecting these Disney toys as I also don't have kids. I even suggested that for my future purchases I make at Dis-Chem they can keep all the stickers that I would have accumulated to make up for this. I do not have any other Disney stickers in my possession. These stickers I've picked up had shoe prints on them, nobody wanted them, laying on the floor like trash, everyone stepping over it or on it and now I've ****** them? If it was a R10 note would the reaction have been the same? If I picked these stickers up in the malls parking, would I also have been victimized like I am being victimized now? I am terribly sorry for picking up these stickers, never thought something so minuscule would land me in this predicament. At least I didn’t pick up a TV...