Abuse and Violation of rights by CIVA security guard

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint about the treatment I received from a CIVA security guard placed at Checkers Bram Fischer Centre. (Nkululeko Ngubane, ***, CIVA) This is my local store, and I shop here at least once a week. On my first visit 25/09, I came in to purchase toiletries. At the till, I realized I had forgotten both my card and had not brought my phone, as I had walked to the store. I therefore only purchased 2 Energades with the cash I had on hand, and planned to return the next morning for the rest of the items. When I returned the following day and proceeded to pay for my toiletries, the security guard publicly confronted me at the till. She verbally attacked me, saying she had seen me the previous day “lurking around” without buying anything, and that now “everything I touched I had to pay for.” As a result, I was unfairly forced to pay for double the items simply because I had touched them. She then threatened that the police will be called on me if I don’t buy the extra items. This conduct is unacceptable for several reasons: 1. *Violation of Consumer Rights:* According to the Consumer Protection Act, I have the right to fair treatment, dignity, and respect when purchasing goods. Forcing a customer to pay for items they did not intend to buy — simply because they were touched — is ******** and exploitative. 2. *Violation of Civil Rights:* Publicly humiliating and accusing me of suspicious behaviour without cause is discriminatory and infringes on my right to dignity and freedom from degrading treatment. 3. *Defamation and Humiliation:* The guard’s accusation effectively labeled me as a potential ***** in front of other shoppers. This was damaging to my reputation, embarrassing, and caused undue emotional distress. 4. *Abuse of Authority:* Security staff are meant to ensure safety, not intimidate loyal customers or impose arbitrary “rules” that are not part of store policy. As a loyal customer who supports this branch regularly, I am both angered and deeply disappointed by this treatment. I therefore request: 1. A written apology acknowledging the harm caused. 2. An urgent investigation into this matter and appropriate disciplinary action against the guard.

If this matter is not addressed satisfactorily, I will have no choice but to escalate it to the *Consumer Goods & Services Ombud (CGSO)* for further investigation.