Cape Town - A man who suffers from a heart condition says Cape Town Station security guards assaulted him when he refused to be searched.
Travel agent Nazeem January, 50, says he was knocked to the ground before one of the guards shouted at him “now you can die”.
January said a male security guard slapped him twice on platform 16 shortly after he got off the train in Cape Town on Monday.
The Heideveld man has had two heart attacks in the past, and has stents implanted to keep his arteries open.
He said the chaos unfolded as he was travelling to work on Monday morning from Mitchells Plain to Cape Town.
January said: “Two female security guards were searching people between Bonteheuwel and Langa station.
“When they got to me I refused to be body searched by women and as I remained seated they blocked my way because they thought I was going to get up and try to leave.
“If they wanted my ticket I would have shown it, but they were not checking for tickets.”
January said another man who also refused to be searched managed to escape by jumping through a window and getting into another carriage.
“When I arrived at Cape Town Station, a male security guard was already waiting for me,” January said.
“I assume they must have contacted someone while we were on our way [to town].
“The guard outside knew who I was and asked why I did not want to be searched.
“They grabbed my bag and the man slapped me.
“I lost my balance, then he hit me a second time and I fell because I got dizzy.
“As I was lying on the floor they went through my bag and searched my pocket.
“When they didn’t find anything they returned my things.
“As they walked off the female guard said ‘now you can die.’”
Januray said he attempted to report the matter to Metrorail but a woman at the station, who identified herself only as the area manager, dismissed his claims. He then went straight to the police station.
“I laid a charge at the police station instead,” he said.
Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed a case of assault was opened.
Metrorail’s Riana Scott says they are investigating the allegations: “Customers should always be treated with courtesy.
“If this was not the case, the Head of Security would investigate the allegations and should any non-conformance’s be confirmed, apply correction action.”
Daily Voice