Assaulted by a security officer at Pick n Pay Glengarry, Western Cape

I'm writing this as a complaint against the security company Recall employed by Pick 'n Pay Glengarry, Western Cape. On the morning of the 18th of December 2002 at 10:30am I was physically assaulted by a security officer of Recall security company.

The events leading up to this confrontation are as follows. My girlfriend and I picked up our little French Bulldog puppy of 8 weeks at the airport. Directly after we proceeded to Pick n Pay Glengarry to buy some items like dogfood for our new pup. We decided to take him into the store as it was an extremely hot day and we did not want to sit with him in the vehicle. I carried him on my arm into the store. At this point I was not stopped by security. I did notice the security officers, a man and a woman, at the entrance of the store. We proceeded inside and could not find what we were looking for and decided to go to a pet store. On our way out we stopped at Cigarette Kiosk. The manageress of the store walked past us and stroked and complimented our little pup. After our purchase we exited the store where I was confronted by the male security officer. He told me in a threatening manner that no dogs were allowed in the store. I told him that his response was too late and he should have stopped me upon entry. Also, the sign prohibiting dogs is barely visible. We proceeded to Pick n Pay Liquor to buy a 6 pack of beer for our braai later in the afternoon. Without my knowledge the security officer followed us to the liquor store. There are no signs prohibiting dogs at the liquor store and also no security officers. I went to the beer fridge and took a six pack of Windhoek Draught. At this point the same male security guard appeared and started screaming at me. I had my little pup on my left arm, he grabbed and shook my right arm with the beer in my hand. I told him my girlfriend will take the dog outside and I will purchase the beer. He kept on shouting and pulling on my arm and the beer. He ordered me to leave the building which I promptly did with my girlfriend in tow. We were totally shaken and disturbed by the whole event. After the event, on our way home my girlfriend contacted the management of Pick n Pay and informed the manageress of the event that transpired. The manageress contacted the security company which in turn contacted us with promises that steps will be taken. As to date we've been handed empty promises that the situation will be resolved and we will be informed of the outcome. We even went as far as to lay a complaint at Pick n Pay regional Head Office. Maryna Hattingh was on leave at the time and we spoke to Lizl du Preez, which I might say was rude and unhelpful. Pick n Pay did not respond to our complaint. We contacted PSIRA to file a complaint against the security company as well. This seems to me that this type of behavior is condoned by all parties involved. I now understand that dogs are not allowed in shops but surely an 8 week old puppy being carried on my arm will not cause any harm to anyone. I also understand the OHS implications of animals in stores but once again the little puppy did not even touch the ground. Surely if it was a major issue the manageress would have informed us as she saw the puppy in my arms. Also, if the security were doing their job we would have been stopped at the entrance. I also have photos of the entrance to Pick n Pay. The signs are small, barely visible and obscured by a sign. There is no such signs at Pick n Pay liquor. The response from the security was not appropriate. So, to Pick n Pay, is this the type of experience you would like your loyal customers to have? Is it really necessary for a security guard to assault a customer because of a puppy? Is this the type of image you would like to promote in the current financial climate here in South Africa. I highly recommend you find another security company for your stores and also better response from management at your Western Cape Head Office. This was truly a disappointing experience. I expect a response and action to be taken against the security company and officer involved. I will continue this campaign of shaming Pick n Pay and Recall on social media and any other platform until I get the appropriate response I desire.

Yours in good faith Pieter .Willem Delport