Cape Town - An Ottery mother has laid a charge of crimen injuria with police after she was left traumatised during an alleged strip-search by security guards at Edgars in Maynard Mall, Wynberg.
Sharna Caledon bought a cellphone on December 12 and was on her way out of the store when metal detectors were triggered at the door.
Caledon was asked to put her handbag and lunch bag through the metal detector, but they were not the cause of the trigger.
“I was asked to walk through and the alarm sounded.”
Security then told Caledon she had to be searched.
“I refused to be searched and asked for management to be called. I asked the store manager to check their security camera.”
But the mom was told there were no CCTV cameras inside the shop.
“I asked for an immediate refund and didn’t want the phone any longer.”
After the refund, Caledon said, she was escorted by three staff members, including security, to an office to be searched.
“The security guard promptly – without warning – lifted both layers of my top. Her hands went around the inside strap of my bra, from the front to the back below my breast. I felt violated. A stranger was touching my body.”
The mother of one was asked to remove her top, pants and shoes, leaving her in her underwear.
Nothing was found.
Sharna Caledon, 31, says she was humiliated when security at Edgars in Maynard Mall allegedly strip-searched her. Photo: DAVID RITCHIE
