Falsely accused and humiliated

To whom it may concern

My name is Nabielah Samuels and I am writing this email with utter disgust and anger. I would like to report an incident that took place on Friday 24th in Mr Price Vangate Mall. I've been a proud and loyal shopper of this branch for many years but after being accused of theft and being humiliated in front of other customers by the staff of this store, you have lost a loyal customer.

I've entered the store just after 9am the morning, I went straight to the clothing section and took two different size tops and two different size jeans then headed to the fitting room. The staff member at the fitting room asked me how many items I had, I confirmed that I have 4 items. She then took the items from me and told me she's coming now. I've waited for quite some time. She came back with another staff member who then asked me to come with them into a room, I was so confused and asked why. The staff member abruptly said to me that I wanted to ***** and pointed out a necklace that they found in the back pocket of one of the jeans. They called security who basically shoved my arms almost restraining me who then took me to the back of the mall and put me in a room.

I tried explaining to them that I just got into the store and only went to the clothing aisle as the jewellery aisle is on the opposite side of the clothing aisle but the staff kept being rude and abrupt with me, humiliating me in front of the other customers in the store. I was kept for so long in this little room and kept trying to convince the staff that I am innocent and I asked to speak to a manager but there was only a floor supervisor on duty. I asked if I could get her name and she refused to give it, telling me that she don't need to give me her name and so did the other two staff members. I distinctly asked them to please check the camera's and I was told the camera's don't work.

The room they put me in was so dirty and there was stains of blood on the walls as I was in this room I eventually was no longer able to stand as my legs started feeling num,i then sat down on a cold floor against the wall and needed to get me medication as my back was in terrible pain of the cold floor and wall I was sitting against.

After being kept for so long a security came and said to me that he doesn't know why I'm being accused for something I didn't do. I was shocked at this,I then asked him what did the staff of Mr Price have to say all he said was they advised him to keep me for another few hours but he refused, he then told me I'm free to go as I've been falsely accused. I came into this store after 9am and I was released after 2pm. I was shivering with anger. I came home and burst out crying, still in disbelief of what happened. I called one of my family members which works for the Voice and explained to her what happened. She then called Vangate Mall security and enquired about this incident,only to be told that the footage could not be viewed as the cameras once again in Mr Price did not work, she then asked them so how does the staff see if anything wrong is being done in store or if anyone really *****s something how would they no.

She then asked to be put through to Mr Price head office or atleast speak to someone in charge of Mr Price vangate and was given several numbers and not one of the numbers really worked as the conversation was going the security guy then dropped the line.

I am still in shock that I was wrongly accused for something I did not do.

I am appalled by the customer service of the staff of this branch.

This email serves to inform you that I will be taking it further. I have been to Manenberg police station ***/9/2021 and was pointed in the right direction of what steps to take next.

I would like a managers call back as soon as possible before I take it to social media and the Voice. Please bare in mind the humiliation and the cruel treatment of the staff members I had to endure and I would like to know what head office will be doing about this matter.

I can be contacted via email or call +***2

Regards, Nabielah