Hatfield Plaza Shopping Centre

***ual Harassment, Body shaming, Bullying and Disrespect

On Saturday the 28th of January 2023 morning, I walk into Hatfield Shopping Centre with the intention of going to clicks to buy medication because I was not feeling well. My intention was to get there as soon as they open. As a was walking I notices some shops are still closed but this shop (Brand Collections) was open with the lady inside preparing for the day. Next to the shop door there is a pillar and there was a security guard standing there. I noticed there were two guys walking from Pick and Pay as it was one of the few shops open. Anyway as I was passing Brand Collections, the lady in the store said to the security guard, Marago a ma pila a shiyale (There is a nice ass), there security guard made a commend "No', The lady asked him '' are they not nice''. Security "Haai they are too big, she even look like she is not wearing a panty''. They continued having this conversation as I was passing. I felt so degraded, So humiliated, so disrespected so shamed and harassed. I proceeded to clicks as I was really not feeling well. On my way from clicks I then decided to confront the security guard and the friend to let them know what they did is wrong. I approached him and said "next time when you decide to talk to someone like dont be so loud because what you said was not nice, next time it will be someone who is not kind and they will report you, tell your friend also". The security guard then said, Lady if you have issues dont dome and take them out on me, you can report me all you want. I was talking about the lady at Pick and Pay clothing. I then asked, which lady because there was no one here, I was the only one passing. He the started to be rude and throwing tantrums saying I can go report him. I left and called the security Guard office and reported the incident. This then wonder, in a country where GBV is an issue, with excuses that women are dressing some type of way, what did I do to provoke the situation. What did I do to be verbally undressed like that and body shamed like that. In a country where mental health is an issue, how is that suppose to make me feel. In an shopping centre that is closer to a University and you hear of insecurities from this young lives, how many has this man and woman verbally undressed ladies passing by, body shamed them, insult or even the worst. Are we even safe if the person that is supposed to instil authority is the one subjecting us to this verbal abuse? I am not ok.