A CLOTHING store manager and a staff member have appeared in a Northern Province court for allegedly painting a 14-year-old girl white after accusing her of shoplifting. Thelma Strydom, who manages Pep Stores in Louis Trichardt, and employee Julia Munyai were not asked to plead on charges of assault, theft and crimen injuria. A male employee has also been arrested on the same charges. The girl was taken to an office, told to take off her blouse and was then painted white, said police. She was also allegedly robbed of R125, and went immediately to police to report the matter. Pep Stores national secretary Radie Stadler said disciplinary action would be taken against the three workers. This is not the first time suspected criminals have had their bodies painted: Moses Nkosi had to be hospitalised after he was painted silver by a farmer and a worker for allegedly trespassing on a farm near Balfour on July 6 last year. Farmer Frederick de Beer was given a suspended 18-month jail sentence and ordered to pay compensation of R3 200 to Nkosi. – African Eye News Service
30