Ensure Security Services Suspends Officers After Alleged Assault on Homeless Durban Man

• Ensure Security Services condemned officers filmed assaulting an alleged homeless man in Durban
• The company launched an internal investigation and placed the involved officers on precautionary suspension
• Preliminary findings indicated that the alleged victim was linked to a broader criminal syndicate

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

KWAZULU-NATAL, DURBAN - Ensure Security Services has strongly condemned the conduct of its officers who were filmed allegedly assaulting a homeless man in Durban.

Launched a full internal investigation

In a statement on Tuesday, 11 February 2026, the company condemned the officers' actions as completely unacceptable, saying they violated its professional standards and core values. It emphasised zero tolerance for behaviour that threatens the safety, dignity, or rights of the public. The company said it only became aware of the video earlier that day and immediately launched a full internal investigation.

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According to IOL, the Denis Hurley Centre's director said the incident occurred outside the Embassy Building in Durban CBD before Christmas. The centre reported that the man was last seen being taken away by Ensure officers in a vehicle after the assault. Ensure confirmed that all officers involved have been placed on precautionary suspension while the investigation continues. The company also said it has formally reported the matter to the South African Police Service and pledged full cooperation with authorities.

Acted without instruction or approval

Ensure Security Services said its initial investigation indicates the man was not an innocent homeless person but a well-known criminal, reportedly involved in a syndicate dealing in vehicle parts and copper theft in Durban. The company stated that the suspect was already in the custody of members of the public when officers arrived. After being apprehended, he allegedly led them to the suspected buyer and leader of the syndicate, who was also arrested. Both individuals were handed over to the South African Police Service for processing.

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Ensure Security Services said the video was shared recklessly and without context, which unfairly cast the entire organisation in a negative light due to the unauthorised actions of a few staff members. The company confirmed its legal team is now managing the case and will provide updates as the investigation continues. It also expressed frustration that the Denis Hurley Centre posted the footage online before giving them a chance to investigate internally.

Man assaulted by taxi association in Vanderbijlpark

Briefly News also reported that a man travelling to work with colleagues in Vanderbijlpark was violently assaulted by members of a taxi association, sparking outrage across South Africa.

Crime and safety news page shared footage of the incident on 13 January 2026 with the caption explaining that a case had been opened at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station. The first video, recorded by a female passenger sitting in the front seat, showed the driver's door being opened as he was dragged out of the vehicle.

Source: Briefly News