No apology after wild shootout

TODD PURDEN of Glen Marais writes:

I fully agree with Imogen Larsen, who complained about rogue companies automatically defending their staff against complaints by the public.

Whether it is those many arrogant business spokespersons or the evasive Ekurhuleni Metro Council spin doctors, the standard response, disappointingly, is invariably a rejection of any culpability or financial liability.

A big thank you to EXPRESS for performing such a valuable community service by, without fear nor favour, exposing the many injustices against vulnerable citizens. Virtually every week we read about instances of the lack of integrity or concern for people who have been severely disadvantaged by both public and private sector excesses.

At least then we can vote or shop with our feet.

What caught my eye this week and made me extremely angry was a news item in EXPRESS about how an eight-year-old girl and her family were traumatised after being mindlessly caught in the crossfire between armed thugs and a pursuing MMI security officer.

The family’s vehicle was riddled with bullets and it is a miracle that none of them were injured or killed.

We are all grateful to the brave security response officers who daily risk their lives in the fight against crime and we wish injured patrolman Ryno Opperman a speedy recovery from his injuries. Thank the Lord his life was spared.

However, fighting crime should not give security officers carte blanche to recklessly put the precious lives of the public at risk.

I find the attitude of MMI spokesman Stephen Steyn particularly offensive.

There was no decency of even a simple apology to the family for their ordeal or a visit to express regret about their trauma. Just a callous statement that MMI couldn’t be held liable for any costs incurred with the extensive damage to their vehicle.

Some people seem to value money more than the empathy to fellow human beings.

I seem to recall that there is actually some legislation in this gun crazy society of ours that absolves private security officers from liability when in pursuit of their duties. In most countries though, which uphold the rule of law, where the safety of its citizens is paramount, there are strict regulations as to when maximum force can be used which would put innocent civilian lives in danger.

For instance, the loss of some valuables shouldn’t be a reason to put the lives of civilians at risk. Rather wait for a safer opportunity to engage fire.

There have been successful prosecutions though in South Africa against reckless public endangerment by security officials and policemen, such as irresponsibly opening fire outside a school premises.

Consequently I hope that the family concerned engage the services of a competent lawyer to test the law and to hopefully obtain recompense for their ordeal and the damage to their car.

If they cannot afford legal representation there are several sources available to obtain pro bono (free or reduced rate) attorney assistance.