Khoisan man beaten up by guard

A case of assault has been opened against a security guard at a Spar supermarket in Upington, Northern Cape, for allegedly assaulting a Khoisan man accused of stealing a packet of chips.

Buks Kruiper, 71, of the Khomani San in the Kalahari, walked into the supermarket with adventurer, author and motivational speaker Patricia Glyn on Monday.

Glyn said she bought Kruiper chips, paid for her other items and, as they walked out of the shop, Kruiper disappeared.

After half an hour, her search led her to the back of the store, where she allegedly found him in handcuffs, hung on a rail and being kicked and punched.

"They tried to clean him up and clean the blood off the floor before they brought him to me. But when he came, I saw the blood on his shirt and that's when we started proceedings. I went to his family and asked them if they wanted to press charges, which he has done," she said.

Christopher Gouss, the owner of the supermarket, said although he had apologised to Kruiper and Glyn, he was not liable for the actions of the guard, an employee of Almighty Security.

"We have apologised but that does not mean we are admitting guilt. I feel she is dragging our shop into this as a publicity stunt because she is writing a book on [Bushmen]," he said.

Almighty Security boss Eddie Tssissiku said he had suspended the guard.

"I spoke to the security guard and he said what he did was a mistake. I have called the lady and apologised to her and told her I would like to also meet the man who was assaulted.

"But I just feel that after the apology and after opening the case, it is unfair that she would run to the newspapers to destroy my business," Tssissiku said.