Harassment by security at Checkers Hyper, Sandton City

I had just made a purchase at LiqourShop, Sandton City, when I was stopped by security upon exit. They felt the need to check my bag when they heard the sensors beep as I attempted to walk out. As I stood in front of security who was asking for the slip, a lady walked out after me and the sensors beeped again. Asked why is she not getting stopped, I was told they can only search one person at a time.

I had refused to be searched on the basis of being prejudiced. So, I walked off. Mall security was called in. Within minutes, I had close to 15 people, most of which were security holding rifles, demanding to search me. Told security that they can look at the camera footage as I wait, they insisted to search me instead.

I had been speaking to one staff member who understood and began to question his colleague's conduct. He asked security why the other customer was let off. They didn't respond. As he was about to let me go, Sandton security made up of several armed men, began to badger, harassing me, threatening to search me against my will.

A lady by the name of Marleine intervened, admitting security was wrong to let another client go without being searched. However, she said that they can't look at the footage because I may not appear in their cameras. As a result, I was forced to go into an isolated part of the store to get harassed and searched by men in uniform, with rifles in their hands, who had nobody overlooking their conduct, as if I were a *****.

One security personnel tore open a bag I was carrying (which was sealed by Checkers upon entry) because he wanted to look inside. I explained to him it's take-away sushi, plus the bag was branded with Ocean Basket logo and sealed as I walked into Checkers. He tore it open and reached for my pockets.

Finding nothing on me, they let me go. a staff member who witness this altercation apologized on the store's behalf as I walked away.

In closing:

It seems to me that law enforcers are too quick to exercise brutality. We've seen this in the news overseas. It's clearly no different here in SA. It's wrong that citizens must walk around in fear of being violated by those who are meant to help and protect. But nobody is listening until things become out of control.