Metrorail security beats up commuter

On 22 April, Turner, who is 20, says he was tired after a long day and had been distracted by his headphones. At Cape Town station he handed a ticket from his morning trip to security guards. Turner says he did so absent-mindedly and without paying attention. The security officials confronted Turner. He says he apologized for the mistake and walked with a security guard to the ticket office to purchase a new ticket.

On the way to the office Turner claims the guard said to him, “Who do you think you are? You think you can get away with this because of your race? You might be a student but you won’t get away with this.”

“I kept quiet as we came to the ticket box. I checked my wallet and didn’t have enough money. I asked the security if I could go to the ATM, He then told me I was waiting to jump the train”, said Turner.

Four security guards pulled Turner into a room. He explained what happened next.

“I was trying to get help from the people on the station but the security told people to back off as they are doing their jobs. Four security guards started pushing me around, throwing my textbooks and punching me. I tried to defend myself and escape out the room. They took me to Cape Station on Platform 1.”

Once at the station, the four guards started speaking Xhosa to Tuner, which he does not understand.

”The officer told me next time don’t swear. He said sorry about what had happened to me but that I couldn’t open a case as I was wrong and nothing would be done.”

On 23 April Turner went to Mowbray police station to open a case. “The officer said I should go back to the station to get the names of the guards as a case couldn’t be opened until I had them because it was regarding Metrorail security.”

Turner believes that it is difficult to approach the guards and get their names without the assistance of an officer. He feels that no one is listening to him and that there is no way for him to move forward.

Metrorail Regional Manager Mthuthuzeli Swartz told GroundUp, “We certainly do not condone the use of force and violence against our commuters.” He encouraged Turner and anyone else who may have witnessed the incident to immediately contact Metrorail with information.

Swartz thanked individuals who brought the matter to his attention: “The security company assured me that their disciplinary process has already resulted in one dismissal.” He expressed his appreciation that several individuals have taken the trouble to personally notify him of the incident. Swartz said he understood the anger against the perpetrators but added that Metrorail management and the majority of employees performed their duties with integrity. “I urge Luke to contact us to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”

He assured the public that he left no stone unturned in addressing what he called a “loathsome act.”

Any members of the public with any information about this incident are requested to contact Metrorail directly.