Man accuses Security Systems guards of assault

 

Tshepiso Rantuane (33) of Gabane village is accusing Security Systems company employees of assaulting him. Rantuane says he was awoken by a knock on the door of his house in Gabane in the early morning of 15th May this year. When he peeped through the window, he saw about eight Security Systems men standing in front of the house.

He proceeded to open the door to hear what they wanted.

“They immediately pounced on me, beating me and asking where my partner in crime was. They even cuffed me saying they found my shoeprints at one tuckshop that had been robbed.

“I tried explaining to them that indeed I was at the said tuckshop but only to drop off empty cans that belonged to one elderly woman I know. They did not listen to me. They were convinced that I was the thief they were looking for,” Rantuane said.

He said the men attacked him whilst he was still half-naked as he had only come out of bed when they knocked. After this the security men took him to the police.

However, the case of theft was never opened against him.

“I guess they figured that indeed I was innocent, or else a case would have been opened. Realising this, I then decided to open a case against Security Systems for assaulting and cuffing me, something (cuffing) that I thought was only for the police not them,” he said.

Rantuane said that more than 15 days later, the police have not acted on the case. He alleges that the officer who was attending him at Gabane police station told him that his case was weak as there is no evidence.

“They told me that I should identify the men who assaulted me. Security Systems men came and the one I identified was said to have been on leave when the assault happened.

“I do not know why I should be identifying people when they attacked me in the early morning and it was still dark outside. I just believe the police are not taking my case seriously,” Rantuane said.

A doctor’s report that bears Botswana Police stamp revealed that Rantuane was assaulted as evidenced by face swelling and redness. There were also abrasions on his thumb and left leg.

Mogoditshane Police Deputy Station Commander Sharpson Mbuso said he was not aware of the matter but will make enquiries on it.

Security Systems Operations Director Mike Nkgetse said he once heard of the matter but does not have much details on it. He referred the matter to their Reaction Manager Doc Ntsaga.

"The matter has not reached us, we only heard of it from our people saying the person who claims to have been assaulted is not able to tell precisely who assaulted him. I have been waiting to hear from the police but they have not called me. I will make an effort to reach him," Ntsaga said.