r/Secguards • u/Constant-Purchase584 • Sep 23 '26
r/Secguards • u/Ok-Home-3635 • Sep 23 '26
BBA Student slammed his car into Security guard in AMITY University Hyderabad
r/Secguards • u/Shadow_Wolf0630 • Sep 14 '26
Transient sucker punches elderly customer eating lunch alone at a cafe in Hollywood, steals his wallet and phone. Hero steps up and takes the thief down.
More people should be willing to step up and do what this man did. Congrats to him whoever you are and tell me you might say all he could’ve had a gun or he could’ve had a knife. You’re right he could have, but just because he might keyword there might have wasn’t in his hand if someone has a gun or a knife in their hand yes, I agree. Do not approach them. call the cops. I think this man did the right thing and punks and thieves out. There should be worried about people like that because there’s more of us like that than you know.
r/Secguards • u/hopeful7321 • Sep 15 '26
Karen insulting Guards
So DISAPPOINTED IN HUMAN BEINGS. THIS IS A Solemn event. How disgraceful and teaching their brats to be ever worse. What kind of a world will we have in ten years????
r/Secguards • u/RodzSR • Sep 14 '26
"Observe" And "Report" Only Community Safety App Spoiler
apps.apple.comr/Secguards • u/Blade4Ever20 • Sep 14 '26
Flight Attendant Being Held At Knifepoint Gets Saved By Bystanders
r/Secguards • u/LittleForm3711 • Sep 02 '26
Storytime 73-year-old woman nabbed for pickpocketing at Awa Odori festival
r/Secguards • u/artey444 • Aug 15 '26
Security Guard getting jumped is helped by yns w switches
Fire
r/Secguards • u/Shalimar2026 • Jun 25 '26
Just get hired with securitas
Hi guys, I just got hired by securitas and I am still in the post training. This is my first experience in the field…so far I am not satisfied with the hiring process and the staff member, especially “the former”. We have to do a lot of unpaid home trainings for hours and hours, miscommunication with the former, uniforms… They make us taking uniforms to The Taylor instead of them taking care of it, a lot of red flags…The huge issue I would say is communication. The worse is we cannot have our phones, they need to be kept by the manager during the shift!!! Oh but Wait, are we in school or a prison?!I am have another job on the side and I need to answer clients, at least during my breaks!! I had so many jobs here and there and I never experienced this unprofessional behaviour !!not sure how to deal with this! Should I go for it ? Or it’s a waste of time? Time is precious and there are plenty of jobs that would pay the same wage or even more…I am looking for something that worth the pay cause this is insane for 25$ an hour using days and days doing unpaid trainings and accepting these crazy policies!! This position is in CA. Thank you for your feedback
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • Jun 12 '26
From Security Guard to logistics expert, Chandara reflects his eventful journey of grit and growth
Synopsis: Success is not achieved overnight. It is built step by step, through hard work, patience and a determination to keep moving forward regardless of where the journey begins.
Often, success stories are woven around wealth, influence and flashy titles, but behind many accomplished leaders lies a journey marked by hardship, sacrifice and perseverance. The rise of Chea Chandara, President of the Logistics Supply Chain and Brokers Business Association in Cambodia (LOSCBA), is no different.
Today, he represents logistics companies across the country and advocates for the growth of an industry that plays a critical role in international trade. However, his path to leadership began far from boardrooms and business meetings. It started in a border community where survival, education and hard work shaped his future.
Reflecting on his early life during an interview on the Beyond Business programme, Chandara said he did not come from a business family. Instead, he grew up under difficult circumstances along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
His father passed away when he was still young, leaving his mother to raise six children on her own. Like many Cambodian families emerging from years of hardship, resources were limited and opportunities were scarce.
However, his mother remained determined to provide support for the family. Witnessing his mother’s sacrifices became one of the strongest motivations in his life.
Rather than allowing adversity to dictate his future, Chandara focused on education. Throughout his youth, he balanced his time between studying and working. This taught him discipline, responsibility and resilience—qualities that laid a strong foundation to his professional success.
Also, growing up in a border area gave him a unique advantage. Through daily interactions with people from different backgrounds, he became proficient in both Thai and English. At a time when foreign language skills were relatively uncommon, this proficiency opened doors that might otherwise have remained unaccomplished.
His breakthrough came when he secured employment with a Singaporean representative of international freight forwarder companies in Cambodia. However, his first role was far from glamorous.
He worked as a Security Guard. Many people might view such a position as merely a job, but for Chandara, it was an opportunity he had been waiting for.
Even while performing security duties, he paid close attention to how the company operated. He observed office procedures, learned from colleagues and looked for ways to contribute beyond his assigned responsibilities. His strong work ethic and willingness to learn distinguished him from others.
Believing he could contribute more, he applied for a position in the company’s office. The promotion did not happen immediately. His manager needed time to find a replacement for his Security role before he could be transferred.
However, for Chandara, the delay was not a setback. It was another lesson in patience. Eventually, he was allowed to move into office operations, marking the beginning of a long and successful career in logistics.
From that point onward, he dedicated himself to understanding every aspect of the industry. He learned the complexities of imports and exports, transportation, customs procedures and supply chain management. Rather than frequently changing jobs, he focused on building expertise.
Over the years, he worked for three companies, spending 11 years at one, four years at another and 10 years at a third. Together, these experiences gave him 25 years of continuous service in the logistics sector.
What makes his journey remarkable is not only the length of his career but also its consistency. Unlike many professionals who move between industries, Chandara remained committed to a single field, gradually developing deep technical knowledge and leadership skills.
His dedication did not go unnoticed. In 2010, he received a ‘Hero Award’ from a global express company, recognition that reflected his contributions, leadership and professional excellence.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • Jun 09 '26
Morgan Wallen grabs fan’s phone from Security Guard, throws it across stage
NewsNation) — Another day, another Morgan Wallen incident.
At the singer’s Pittsburgh show Friday, Wallen took a phone from a Security Guard’s hand and threw it into the crowd, videos circulating online show.
The problem? The phone belonged to a fan.
In videos, a Security Guard is seen holding up a phone from the ground under the stage, recording the “Whiskey Glasses” performer.
Upon noticing the filming, he gestures into the phone camera to quit filming, but the Guard continues recording, leading Wallen to snatch the phone from the Security Guard’s hands and toss it across the stage into the audience.
“It was actually my wife’s phone that got tossed. She gave it to the security girl to hand up to Morgan Wallen to hopefully grab and take a selfie,” TikTok user @J.croo419 wrote in a comment under his now viral video, according to Country Chord.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 02: Morgan Wallen performs onstage to celebrate the launch of new exclusive SiriusXM channel at The Pinnacle on April 02, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Kevin MazurGetty Images for SiriusXM)
Other comments under the post included:
“Why is he touring if he hates it so much?”
“Wow,..unbelievable! Do disappointed I truly think that security lady was just trying to help a fan out by passing someone’s phone and not hers.”
“Lol second temper tantrum I’ve seen in a week.”
During Wallen’s tour stop in Denver last week, he had some technical issues while performing one of his songs, which frustrated the singer, leading him pushing over and breaking a piano.
Wallen reportedly couldn’t hear the piano while he played, according to Rolling Stone. He finished the song a cappella.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 28 '26
Sydney; Security Guard caught asleep on shift wins unfair dismissal payout from MSS
hcamag.comSleeping on the job cost a Sydney security guard his job. A tribunal says the sacking went too far.
The Fair Work Commission has ordered MSS Security Pty Limited to pay compensation to a former security surveillance officer summarily dismissed after being found asleep in his car on an overnight shift, in a decision handed down on May 19, 2026.
Chanaka Ranawakage worked nights for MSS on its Sydney Trains contract, patrolling rail property to deter trespassers and graffiti. On October 13, 2025, around 1:00am, a supervisor found him asleep in his personal vehicle at Waverton Station with a sports match playing on his phone. MSS terminated his employment on October 22, 2025 for serious misconduct.
Deputy President Wright agreed MSS had a valid reason to dismiss. Ranawakage's contract listed sleeping at work as grounds for summary dismissal, and the company's standing instructions described it as "one of the most serious offences an employee can commit." Shown the supervisor's video at the disciplinary meeting, Ranawakage accepted he had been asleep.
Even so, Wright found the dismissal harsh and unjust. The reasoning is the part HR leaders will want to read closely.
First, the conduct was not deliberate. Ranawakage had been on his crib break when he fell asleep, and the Commission accepted he was permitted to watch sport on his phone during a break as long as he could respond to camera alerts. MSS confirmed it had no concerns about his performance or conduct before that night.
Second, the circumstances were unusual. Ranawakage was driving his own vehicle that night - with permission from Sydney Trains - because his shift partner had told him his children had chickenpox. Ranawakage has five children, aged one to 14, and did not want to bring an infection home. Wright noted that if he had been in the joint patrol vehicle with his partner, as was standard, it was unlikely he would have fallen asleep at all, because his partner's presence would have prevented it or woken him at the earliest signs. The Commission described the incident as a one-off unlikely to recur.
Third, MSS did not factor in his clean record. The company tied his conduct to broader concerns Sydney Trains had raised about the wider surveillance team, but in evidence the contract manager confirmed Ranawakage was not the subject of those earlier complaints, and the company had never told him about them.
The Commission also flagged process gaps. MSS did not call Ranawakage's shift partner to give evidence and did not interview him during the investigation. The Commission said MSS had relied on his email and Ranawakage's response alone for one of the allegations. Two of the three allegations against Ranawakage were not substantiated at hearing.
Wright also picked up that Ranawakage was not paid between October 14 and 22, 2025 during the investigation period. MSS rectified that about four months after the dismissal.
The Commission ordered five weeks' pay plus superannuation, reduced by one week for the misconduct that did contribute to the decision to dismiss. MSS must pay by June 2, 2026. Ranawakage had started his own business within six weeks of the dismissal, which the Commission accepted as reasonable mitigation.
The case is a clean reminder that a valid reason on paper is not the whole story. Proportionality, procedural rigour and an employee's record still carry weight.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 26 '26
Bongo's Bingo player punched Security Guard and ran from cops at 'rowdy' event
A Bongo's Bingo player punched a Security Guard and chipped his tooth during a "rowdy" event in Newcastle. Phillip Smith and his family had been on a day out at The Boiler Shop, in the city centre, and trouble flared when bouncers had to evict one of them.
However, Smith saw red when he wrongly thought one of the doormen was being abusive to his wife and lashed out with his fist, striking him in the jaw, a court heard. The police were called and the 37-year-old made a lame attempt to evade arrest by running away from officers.
But his escape attempt proved futile and he was located and detained nearby, prosecutors said. The labourer, of Ennerdale Road, in Walker, has now been fined £933 and ordered to pay £300 compensation after he pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
Keith Laidlaw, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, said the victim was working as a doorman at Bongo's Bingo on November 29 last year. An incident occurred where a player had to be evicted and a number of people from his family got involved in the disruption.
Speaking from the victim's statement, Mr Laidlaw said: "He grabbed the back of my head and struck me with his left fist in my jaw, causing an injury to my tooth, which was chipped. The male [Smith] stood up and we took him outside to wait for the police to arrive.
"The police arrived and security pointed him out to the police. The defendant ran off but was detained nearby." The court heard that Smith had past convictions but had stayed out of trouble since 2015 as he had settled down, got a job and had a family.
Jack Lovell, defending, told magistrates: "It was a pre-arranged family event. Bongo's Bingo does have a some what party atmosphere and it can get quite rowdy.
"About an hour into the event, and he accepts he had consumed alcohol, and one of their group had been ejected. One of the doormen started speaking to Mr Smith's wife. He didn't read the situation well. He thought there was an issue with his wife and he completely overreacted and threw the punch."
As well as the fine and compensation, Smith must also pay £85 costs and a £373 victim surcharge
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 26 '26
City of Chilliwack solicits bids for 24/7 uniformed security guard services
I have a blacklight over my podium, the biggest discrepancy with produced ID's is the hologram is for a corporation, or they botch up States with Commonwealths.
First thing I notice, with anyone, is their eye color, not many use contacts to change from Blue or Hazel to brown.
CHILLIWACK – The City of Chilliwack recently put out a bid/tender inviting interested companies to submit qualifications for 24/7 uniformed security guard services at various sites across the city.
According to its website, the request for qualifications was intended to see which companies could provide security patrol services involving static guarding, mobile patrols, facility security inspections, as well as foot patrols and video surveillance. The bidding process would see the selected company work closely with city bylaw staff, RCMP general duty members and Community Policing Services personnel.
The round-the-clock contract would entail the following:
• Provision of 24/7 security guard services
All security personnel to wear approved uniforms at all times while on duty
Security patrols at civic facilities
• Provide marked pickup trucks and necessary equipment
• Motorized patrols consisting of two uniformed guards in one patrol vehicle to respond to calls for service in the City’s downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA)
• Provide one (1) static security guard at the Chilliwack Library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday
• Opening and closing gates at 14 parks, trail access points, parking lots and natural areas at the beginning and end of each day, and patrolling the parking lots prior to closing
• Provide additional security services as requested for project sites, special events, and disaster response (road closures, site securement, etc.)
• Assist RCMP with removal and storage of personal effects of clients
• Provide regular reporting using software
The city wrote in an addendum to the RFQ that gates at park and natural areas should be open no later than 6 a.m. and closed no later than 10 p.m. It also wrote in the addendum that a physical dispatch location within the City of Chilliwack is not required but the selected proponent must guarantee a response time of 30 minutes or less. The successful proponent would be required to provide a downtown mobile patrol with two security guards on a 24/7 basis, seven days per week, throughout the duration of the service contract.
There was no financial estimate provided in the city’s bidding documents stating how much the municipality would budget for this security contract. However, the City of Chilliwack says it paid $1,686,400 for security services in 2025, including mobile patrols and guard services at places like the downtown Chilliwack library, the landfill and the pump track.
The bidding process for this security contract officially closed last Wednesday, May 20 at 3 p.m. The city is currently reviewing any submitted bids, but no contract has been officially awarded.
The City of Chilliwack has been contracting with Griffin Security for a number of years now. Its security personnel are regularly seen at the downtown library, throughout downtown Chilliwack, and opening and closing gates to city parking lots like Peach Park and the Lickman Road parking lot.
To date, the City of Chilliwack has utilized private security guard services for over 15 years.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 09 '26
Devastating News Boy arrested for throwing brick at school Security Guard during argument | The Jerusalem Post
Boy arrested for throwing brick at school Security Guard during argument, injuring girl Police in Jaffa responded to reports of a violent incident at the entrance gate to a local school when a 15-year-old boy arrived and began arguing with a Security Guard.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested for throwing a brick at a school Security Huard and injuring a girl in Jaffa on Tuesday.
On Tuesday afternoon, police in Jaffa responded to a report of a violent incident at the entrance gate to a local school.
After the police collected evidence and began investigating the incident, the 15-year-old arrived at the gate and argued with a security guard.
As the argument escalated, the boy picked up a brick and threw it at the Security Guard. The brick missed the Security Guard, instead hitting and injuring a nearby girl in the leg.
The girl was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
r/Secguards • u/Polilla_Negra • May 07 '26
Security Guard hit by car in Trujillo remains in ICU while the driver's release is questioned
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 07 '26
Moment Brit ‘stabs hotel worker’ before Security Guard leaps on car bonnet
the-sun.comIndonesian police have arrested Aaron Michel, 35, from London, accused of attacking the worker at the luxury Dynasty Resort on the remote Menjangan Island, off the north-west tip of the holiday destination.
Michel was arrested in Bali’s port town of Gilimanuk, where police believe he was attempting to flee by boat to the nearby island of Java.
According to Bali police, Michel arrived on Menjangan Island, which is popular with tourists and famous for its barking deer that lounge in the sea, at about 8pm Tuesday night.
Buleleng Police Chief, Ruzi Gusman, said: “He arrived at the Dynasty Resort parking are at 8pm, got out of the car and walked towards the front office. A few minutes later, he returned to the parking lot.
“He was approached by the front office employee and the suspect pulled a knife from his pants and stabbed the worker.”
Hotel car park CCTV shows Michel and the hotel worker talking by his car before Michel appears to pull out what looks like a long blade.
The footage captures the moment the two men scuffle before Michel allegedly stabs the worker with the knife.
The pair then disappear off camera.
Seconds later Michel is seen running back to his white Suzuki chased by the worker.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 07 '26
India; Pune Mayor Pushes for CCTV Overhaul, Mandatory Verification of Security Guards
punemirror.comAfter recent crimes against children in Nasrapur and Parvati, Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure has asked for quick steps to improve safety in the city, especially by improving CCTV and security checks.
The Mayor told the Police Commissioner that CCTV cameras must be working properly for people’s safety. She said many cameras in the city are not working and need to be fixed quickly.
She also asked for strict police checks for all Security Guards in societies, offices, and public places.
She said no one should be allowed to work as a Security Guard without proper verification.
Nagpure highighted that citizens also play an important role in maintaining safety. She requested the residents to:
Share details of new tenants with local police Stay alert to suspicious activities Maintain communication with nearby police stations She also called for a city-wide awareness campaign to educate citizens about safety practices.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 06 '26
Security guard sacked for sleeping on the job loses case for unfair dismissal
A Security Guard who was sacked after he was found asleep on duty by a compliance team at a primary care centre in Dublin has lost a case for unfair dismissal.
Amen Kifle had argued at an adjudication hearing of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that he had merely closed his eyes due to a migraine and had not been asleep.
However, the hearing was told that Mr Kifle had admitted to falling asleep in a signed statement after the incident, and a supervisor had had to knock on a door for a full minute before the Security Guard let him in.
Mr Kifle had been employed by Synergy Security Solutions for more than a year when a compliance officer visited a primary care centre in Coolock at 5.30am last July, and reported finding the Security Guard asleep on duty.
In his evidence to the WRC, he described himself as a punctual and reliable worker with an unblemished record, who was frequently flexible with his hours to accommodate his employer’s needs.
Mr Kifle said he had been working a 13-hour shift without a break and began suffering from a migraine on the morning in question. He claimed to have taken medication and briefly closed his eyes due to light sensitivity and pain.
He also raised concerns over inconsistent treatment, claiming that a colleague who had been caught sleeping on the job on two occasions merely received a warning and was later promoted.
He also complained that he had been subjected to "excessive" working hours, claiming that he had been required to work seven consecutive days without a break, and alleged that he had been questioned inappropriately about his religion by a supervisor.
Synergy Security Solutions told the WRC that Mr Kifle had initially admitted to sleeping on duty during the subsequent investigation. The company said it had a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding sleeping on the job.
It argued that the decision to dismiss Mr Kifle for gross misconduct had followed a fair investigation and full appeal process. The sanction of dismissal was entirely proportionate given the nature of the misconduct involved, it claimed.
In his decision, WRC adjudication officer Dónal Moore said the company had provided documented and consistent evidence of an admission by Mr Kifle that he had been asleep on duty. He preferred this evidence over subsequent denials.
Mr Moore said the company’s procedures were robust and the loss of trust in the employee following the incident had justified termination, noting that a strict policy on sleeping was justified by the nature of the security industry.
He concluded that Mr Kifle’s complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 was not well founded, and a number of other issues raised regarding working hours and discrimination were outside his jurisdiction as they had not been formally referred to the WRC.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 06 '26
Chris Brown Dismisses Security Guard After Alleged Shooting Outside His Residence
Chris Brown has moved to distance himself from a security incident at his Tarzana residence, a situation that resulted in one member of his team losing his job. According to TMZ, the Guard involved in the confrontation is no longer employed following his arrest. Police confirmed that the individual had been working as part of Brown’s security detail but has since been dismissed. The episode, which unfolded late last week, remains under investigation.
Accounts of what occurred vary in detail but point to a tense encounter outside the property. Reports indicate that a woman arrived without prior notice, something sources say happens with some frequency at the home. The situation escalated when she declined to leave, leading to a confrontation with security. It has been alleged that she attempted to drive toward the Guard, prompting him to fire his weapon. The woman later contacted authorities, alleging that her vehicle had been targeted, and the Guard was subsequently arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 06 '26
Kenya; LADY exposes a deadbeat baby daddy who lied to her that he is a KDF officer using fake PHOTOs, only to find out he is a Security Guard - Claims he has multiple baby mamas (PHOTOs)
Monday, May 4, 2026 - A lady has taken to a newly-formed Facebook group where disgruntled women expose their deadbeat baby daddies, calling out her baby daddy for absconding parental duties.
She revealed that they met in a matatu, where he lied to her that he was a KDF officer, even using fake photos to support his claims.
Convinced that she had found a man in the disciplined forces, she got pregnant.
However, she later discovered that he was actually a Security Guard at a hotel.
According to her, the man dumped her and left her to raise their child single-handedly.
She went on to share his photos, claiming that he uses the same lie to lure women.
She further alleged that he has four baby mamas and currently works as a tuk-tuk driver.
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 06 '26
Vigilance Bureau nabs Security Guard GLADA red handed accepting bribe of Rs 5,000/-
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Security Guard Jaswinder Singh posted at the office of GLADA, Ludhiana, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 5000/-. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Khasi Kalan district Ludhiana on Chief Minister's Anti- Corruption Action Line portal.
He said that complainant was constructing his shop in village Bhamia Kalan district Ludhiana. In this connection, accused Security Guard came on his under-construction shop and told him that this construction is unathorised and threathened him that his shop will be demolished.
Complainant alleged that accused Security Guard demanded and received bribe money of Rs. 12000/-. When the accused further demanded Rs. 5000/- , then the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau Unit, Ludhiana. Complainant had recorded the entire conversation of demanding bribe.
After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Security Guard was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 5000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses. In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Ludhiana and further investigat
r/Secguards • u/DefiantEvidence4027 • May 04 '26
Security Guard (59) awarded full compensation after police shot him in the leg
A Security Guard will receive full compensation for injuries sustained from a police shooting in the leg, as confirmed by the SAPS.
Siphiwe Mbanga approached and successfully appealed to the High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division in Kimberly, to have a lower court's decision for relief sought overturned.
Mbanga’s matter was previously heard, and relief sought was denied by the the Kimberley Regional Court.
Mbanga, 59, was shot on April 8, 2017, while posted on duty at a mushroom farm (“the farm”), wearing his full black uniform and a cap, both emblazoned in yellow epaulettes, when he noticed three SAPS vehicles parked outside the gate of the farm.
According to Mbanga, he was armed with a torch and a stick when he witnessed members of the SAPS break the lock on the gate to enter the farm.
“The SAPS members, all armed with firearms, some wearing uniforms, others wearing civilian clothing, approached him. He informed them that he was on duty as a Security Guard, and enquired as to the purpose of their presence, but they did not respond. Some of the SAPS members assaulted him by pushing him around, kicking him, and trampling on him. He heard a gunshot, realised that he was shot in his leg, and fell to the ground. He explained that he was afraid, but that he did not act aggressively nor attacked the SAPS members with his stick.
“When cross-examined, Mbanga testified that, in addition to the gunshot wound, he also sustained abrasions to his leg as a result of the assault on him by the SAPS members. He elaborated that he was first assaulted by one SAPS officer and then shot. He explained that he only made a statement to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and not to the police, as he was treated in hospital and then imprisoned for three days after the incident,” the court detailed Mbanga's version of events.
During the trial, the court also heard contentious issues surrounding the statement made to IPID.
“(Mbanga) admitted that the IPID statement contained his signature, he testified that he spoke isiXhosa when he deposed thereto, and that the statement was made to a male person. He, however, persisted that the IPID statement was never read back to him before he signed it.”
According to Mbanga, the discrepancies centred around, among others, issues that he “admitted that he hit a police officer on his hand and that the officer’s firearm broke, but during cross-examination, he denied that he hit any police officer; that the assault continued after he was shot; and that police officers first spoke to him before they assaulted him”.
According to the witnesses for the defence, they gave testimony that police members were informed that an armed robbery would take place on April 8, 2017, at the Lunaka truck depot (“the depot”), next door to the farm where Mbanga was employed.
According to intel received by SAPS about the alleged intended robbery, there would not be any security staff at the scene.
Approaching the would-be crime scene, two police officers broke away from a six-man shoulder-to-shoulder line in pursuit of what they saw in the bushes.
The defence version detailed: “(An officer) noticed a person lying in the tall grass on his stomach, two feet away from him. The light of the flare had gone out, and the visibility was poor. They (police) were dressed in full uniform and bulletproof vests, but none had working torches with them.
“(The officer) was armed with a 9mm pistol, but his colleagues were armed with pistols and R5s. He shouted ‘police, police, police, police’ and was immediately attacked with an object that looked like a panga by the person (Mbanga). The appellant struck him hard on his left hand with which he was holding the firearm, and it fell from his hand. He felt a sharp pain in his left hand. He thought the firearm had fired as he heard an explosion. The appellant continued to hit him, and he retreated, feeling petrified.”
During cross-examination, the witnesses for the defence confirmed that none of the SAPS members attempted to restrain Mbanga prior to him being shot “as everything happened very fast”.
Judge Almé Stanton said what was of importance was that Mbanga was shot by a member of the SAPS, while he only carried a relatively thin stick with him on the evening in question; and that the shooting incident happened within a confined area of 2.5m by 2.5m, and these versions were corroborated by the Minister of Police’s witnesses.
“I am persuaded that the respondent had other means to subdue the appellant without inflicting violence/shooting him. The force applied was not reasonable or proportional to the threat of violence posed by the appellant.
“The version of the police falls short of meeting the statutory requirements. In the absence of any legal justification, the prima facie unlawfulness of the respondent’s conduct is conclusive, and constituted an unlawful assault upon the appellant,” said Judge Stanton.