A reporter's personal story about brush with untouchables

President Zuma's bodyguard screams at Stephen Grootes. Photo: Michel Bega/The Citizen, republished courtesy of The Daily Maverick

We've seen the brutality of the bodyguards of the rich and mighty way too many times already. These walking suspenders of South Africa's Constitution seem impervious to public outrage, above the law, violent, angry and arrogant.

You do what any other person would do, you hit "Record", and you run in to help. To no avail. It's the most frustrating thing for a man. You can push and pull, you're using everything you've ever thought of, including your brain. You're shouting, "Why can't we just talk about this", in the back of your mind is that guy in Cape Town who just disappeared for 24 hours. And they just look at you and squeeze harder.

It's humiliating. It's embarrassing. There's something about knowing the other side is stronger than you, more violent, they'll do things you never would and it's sickening to know they will get away with it.

This was my Tuesday morning [16 March 2010]. More importantly, it was Tshepo Lesole's Tuesday morning.

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