Baby hurt as guard allegedly headbutts mom

EAST LONDON police are investigating a case of assault and child abuse after a security guard allegedly headbutted a mother, causing her to drop her six-week-old baby.

The alleged incident is said to have taken place at Game Stores at Retail Park last Friday.

It is alleged an altercation broke out between Nomfusi Ngxabazi and a Red Alert security guard at the store when the woman refused to leave her baby bag, which she also uses as a handbag, at the door.

Ngxabazi was with her husband Khayalethu at the time.

“We had just taken our car in for a service at Buffalo Toyota and had asked the driver to drop us at the complex,” said Khayalethu.

“After shopping at Clicks and Edgars, we arrived at Game Stores with a full trolley, but we were still looking for a paraffin heater.

“The security asked us to leave our trolley with him and, although this came as a surprise, considering we had shopped around at other stores which didn’t have a problem with us walking in with our trolley, but we left the trolley regardless.”

He claims the problem arose when the security guard insisted his wife leave her baby bag.

“That’s when an argument ensued until we decided not to leave the trolley too. A security guard followed us around within the store and we had no problem with that.”

Ngxabazi said they saw the paraffin heater, but went to compare prices at another store.

The couple alleged that on their way out, the security guard followed them and allegedly confronted them in another shop.

It is claimed that the security guard started swearing at the husband and wife.

The Daily Dispatch spoke to staff at the store where the alleged shouting took place.

“I don’t know where or how it started, but during the time the customers were here, the Red Alert security from Game Stores came in and started swearing at the gentleman, threatening to beat him up,” said one woman.

“He said a lot of things and the couple didn’t say a word.”

The couple continued to the other shop and claimed the security guard followed them.

Afterwards, the two eventually returned to Game to buy the paraffin heater, which is when the alleged assault took place.

“My husband had his back to the security and I warned him that he must watch out because the aggressive security was pacing towards us, but the security came straight at me where he hit my forehead with his head and I dropped the child,” said Nomfusi.

“We reported the incident to the store manager, and they just took our details but did nothing.”

The woman said “the manager eventually took me to Life Hospital where I used my medical aid”.

Police spokeswoman Hazel Mqala confirmed the couple opened a case at the Beacon Bay police station.

“There are three counts: assault, crimen injuria and child abuse which have been opened against the Red Alert security guard stationed at Game Stores,” she said.

Red Alert refused to comment when contacted by the Daily Disp while Game communication and public relations officer, Tinabo Majaye-Khupe said: “We view it in an extremely serious light and have launched an immediate investigation. We will initiate decisive action as required.”

Retail Park complex management did not respond by the time of writing. —