Security guards “do nothing” to stop parking lot assault

A local man claims he was physically assaulted in the parking lot outside Ballito Bay Mall on Saturday while security guards did nothing to stop it and helped his assailant escape.

Marcus Mason of Salt Rock told The Courier he was waiting in a queue at the Checkers Liquor Shop when the man in front of him began arguing with the teller, holding up the line. The argument was apparently over the format of his change – which the man wanted in notes, not coins.

“The teller asked him to step aside while the right change was being found, so that other customers could pay. When he saw me being served, he started insulting me and other people in the queue.

“I asked him to calm down while the change was being fetched, but he swore at me and said ‘I don’t need your white attitude’.”

Mason said he moved away to another teller, but the man continued to insult him.

“I took out my phone to get this guy on video. When he saw me do that he took a swing at me and knocked the phone out of my hand,” said Mason.

Checkers management told The Courier that they asked security to escort the men out of the centre. Mason again tried to take his picture and the man turned and punched him in the face hard enough to leave Mason with two black eyes and concussion.

Mason called the Thorburn security guards employed in the centre and asked them to detain the man and call the police. To his shock however, the security guards seemed more interested in preventing him from taking photos and allowing his assailant to leave the mall.

Asking why he was taking pictures, two Thorburn security guards then stood in front of the car’s number plates, an NT-registered silver Corolla, to block Mason from taking a picture of the man and his car. They told him, “He must go, you must stay.”

A representative for the Ballito Bay Mall centre management, Eris Properties, said that the security guards were “just trying to prevent Mason from being assaulted again and that the whole saga has been blown out of proportion”.

Thorburn Security CEO, F C Smit, said from Cape Town that he was investigating the incident.

“Inquiries are ongoing and we are attempting to get into contact with those involved. Thorburn does not tolerate rude or unprofessional behaviour from any of its staff,” said Smit.

Mason has opened a case of assault and crimen injuria with SAPS Umhlali.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.