AN investigation has been launched and several security officers of Ensure Security Services have been put on “precautionary suspension” following a viral video showing the officers and a civilian violently assaulting a man in Durban.

In the over five-minutes-long clip posted on the Denis Hurley Centre Facebook page, multiple security officers dressed in full Ensure Security uniform can be seen  arriving at the scene in four vehicles.

The man, lying on the ground and covered in a blanket, can be seen surrounded by four people, while a fifth stands over him while beating him with a long object that resembles a pipe. When the security officers arrive, the man hands the object to an officer who carries on the assault while his colleagues look on.

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While he is still on the ground, the man is beaten further and kicked in between short intervals of the over five minutes clip. Following public outrage and condemnation, Ensure Security Group issued a statement confirming that they were aware of the incident and the clip.

“Such behavior is unacceptable and stands in direct violation of our professional standards, training protocols, and core values,” read the statement. It went on to say, “We have zero tolerance for any actions that undermine the safety, dignity, or rights of any members of the public.”

The company was made aware of the incident on Tuesday, February 10, after it was posted on social media. An internal investigation was launched and the incident allegedly reported to the SAPS. “The officers involved have been placed under precautionary pending its outcome,” said Ensure Security.

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Violent act condemned 

On social media, where the incident first came to light, acts of violence have received wide condemnation. Chris Roderick Kuppusamy said, “Sorry but this is not law enforcement. This is criminality and violence in the highest order. The suspect has been apprehended. Their job was to hand over to SAPS. Big shame on this security officers and the one who also gave the suspect a hiding. Shame on all those involved. Ensure Security Services get those criminal officers locked up.”

This was after Ensure Security highlighted that the man being beaten was wanted in connection with multiple vehicle parts and copper theft incidents. Not swayed by the explanation, Ndingu C’zwe Nqwili said, “Security company have the same policy as SAPS to serve and protect the people of South Africa, what I just witnessed now that’s called MOB Justice.”

His sentiments were shared by Dean Craig Mincher who said, “Wow. Hopefully they will be held accountable for disgraceful behavior.”

The police had yet to comment by the time of publishing.

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