Sisters fined for chewing gum on train

[phoneJunky]

Johannesburg - Two sisters were detained by Gautrain security for four hours and fined R700 for chewing gum, according to a report on Tuesday.

The incident happened on Friday, the Star newspaper reported.

Sisters Pontso Pakkies and Lebo Sibisi said they were unaware that chewing gum was not allowed on the train.

While waiting for the train, Pakkies said a guard approached them and told them to get rid of the gum.

After talking to a guard, they wrapped the gum in paper and placed it in their bags as there was no dustbin nearby.

As the train approached, one of the security managers told them they could not board.

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I find it hard to believe that they were unaware of the rule as the posters are quite visible when you enter the station but I also think it is a bit harsh to detain them. Sounds like they detained them till they paid, if that is the case fine, but without any cellphone signal it does get a bit creepy.

[The_Librarian]

There is no excuse. There is literally signs ALL over the place.

When we did the Hatfield-ORT route, we noticed those signs.

They only have themselves to blame.




This. Is. SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[marine1]

I can just imagine the attitude from them. Heard about it on 702 this morning.

[Devill]

They were warned, they did not comply, the fine-hammer did fall.

[abzo]

I can just imagine the attitude from them. Heard about it on 702 this morning.

Why would you think that? According to the article it seems that they complied with security's demands.

[deweyzeph]

If I were them I would lay charges of kidnapping or false imprisonment against Bombela or the security guards involved. Sounds like they've got a good case.

[Nerfherder]

Did you RTFA?



Seems like an overzealous guard to me.

The rules are that you may not bring gum on the train.... they broke that rule.

[phoneJunky]

The rule is no gum on the platform.

We don't know the security's side of the story so it can still in fact be that they refused to throw away the gum. Why would the security guard make that up?

Why did they detain them? Did they refuse to pay? The article said that they were release when they paid the fine, which indicates that they refused to pay the fine for 4 hours. Some stations don't have signal like Rosebank (Or I don't have signal there) so that might just be to make the story more juicy.

[Devill]

Did you RTFA?

I did. I also heard the story on the news that said that at first the refused to comply.

Also the rules are on notice boards all over the place THUS, they were warned, they chewed gum in a prohibited area, thus they did not comply.... Then the fine-hammer came crashing down.

What in that statement is not clear? Or do you normally struggle to follow the steps / count to three?

[eehellfire]

I did. I also heard the story on the news that said that at first the refused to comply.

Also the rules are on notice boards all over the place THUS, they were warned, they chewed gum in a prohibited area, thus they did not comply.... Then the fine-hammer came crashing down.

What in that statement is not clear? Or do you normally struggle to follow the steps / count to three?

Is it legal to detain someone for an unpaid spot fine?
I doubt it.

[Devill]

Is it legal to detain someone for an unpaid spot fine?
I doubt it.

I have no idea but I doubt it is legal.

BUT that was not what I commented on

[deweyzeph]

Is it legal to detain someone for an unpaid spot fine?
I doubt it.

It's not legal and I have no doubt that the security guards would never attempted this with a "rich" white person who can afford a lawyer. These clowns (Bombela Concessions) have opened themselves up to a charge of false imprisonment.

[DJ...]

Incredibly harsh. Seems really over the top, unless there is more to this story...

[Nerfherder]

Incredibly harsh. Seems really over the top, unless there is more to this story...

They are harsh... the station and trains are also spotless.

Its a trade off

[DJ...]

They are harsh... the station and trains are also spotless.

Its a trade off

I'm in Singapore. Spotless here too - everywhere. They warn you though about everything before dishing out fines or detaining people...