The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) has slammed security officers caught on video assaulting an alleged shoplifter, calling their actions “unjustifiable”.
A video of a man, who PSiRA named as Sandile Ngcobo, caught smuggling jars of peanut butter at a Pietermaritzburg supermarket in KwaZulu-Natal has been circulating on social media.
The incident drew sharp reaction from politicians and social media users, who debated the punishment.
PSiRA director Manabela Chauke said under the security service providers' code of conduct, officers may only use force when circumstances warrant and it is permitted by law.
“The alleged shoplifter was not using force towards the officers, thus their reaction is not justifiable,” he said.
He added officers have a duty to protect, not harm.
“Beating up a fellow human being, for whatever reason, is not in their scope of work and I strongly caution security officers against that.”
The regulator has launched an investigation into the company and officers involved.
In the video that went viral this week, a man is seen bruised and bloody as he is searched by security officers.
Two jars of peanut butter are pulled from under his T-shirt while he is being held by a security guard. One officer proceeds to smack the man’s buttocks several times with a nightstick.
The man screams: “I have a job, I can even give you my work numbers. I am sorry, I will pay. Please forgive me!”
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