Continued harassment from security guards, iThemba management remains silent

I want to report one of your security guards Robert Shabalala for his continued harassment against me. As it stands I am in the middle of attending a court case because all I did was to defend myself in your building and fight back against a man who thought it is okay to lay his hands on a woman.

On the 27 of October 2020, Robert Shabalala physically assaulted me two days later I was served with a notice of lease cancellation. Yet no communication on what the repercussions would be for your security guard who laid his hands on me.

On the 10th of June 2020 I sent an email to Lebogang the building manager including Andile Nkonki about the fact that Chosen - another security guard who works at the Emerald - who threatened to physically assault me in the presence of Lebogang. Nothing was ever done about that incident and the fact that threats were made to me as a tenant in front of the building manager.

Robert Shabalala was heard by multiple people in the lifts on Saturday verbally assaulting another tenant in building who so happens to be my friend as well (Leonorah Moyo). He proceeded to call her and her friends by association "uMagosha" which translates to "**********" in English. I do not know why he thinks this behaviour is appropriate to speak and treat women tenants who do not reciprocate he desired attention he desperately seeks from us with such disrespect.

I also do not know why iThemba continues to protect and harbor violent and potentially violent individuals under the disguise of them being your employees.

Living at the Emerald for the past 9months has honestly been hell particularly when it comes to the service one receives from the security guards who do not know their place and what their job description entails. It cannot be that as women we're made to feel uncomfortable, and have our livelihoods threatened in our very own places of residence.

To date, the only security guard who continues to respect tenants is Talent. He knows what his job entails, he is helpful, attentive to issues and further also knows his place and doesn't bombard people's personal lives.

I really hope for future tenants who will move in the new year, that they are afforded decency when it comes to the service they receive from iThemba management including the security guards that we also pay for as part of our rent, towards ensuring our safety as tenants. Not for us to be and feel violated in our homes where we pay.

With my experiences so far, I have been propelled to come to the conclusion that iThemba does not take violence against women seriously (in a country where **** and physical abuse towards women and children is rife) and in fact it has proven that it would rather protect it's male **********s than to attend to the concerns of tenants.

I really hope that something will be done particularly with Shabalala's attitude and behaviour, I don't care if he's old and "sincere". He should face consequences for not knowing his place, being violent and for harassing women in THEIR PLACES OF RESIDENCE.