A Heideveld woman was left humiliated and angry on Thursday after she was turned away from the Post Office for wearing “pyjamas”.
Lameez Williams says she was told to “take a bath” when she went to withdraw money at the Heideveld Surwell Post Office, wearing a long hooded top that resembles a nightgown.
“I was wearing a long, grey fleece top with maroon tights and a pair of black and gold takkies and a blue and grey scarf,” she says.
“I was standing in the queue behind the gate of the post office and then it was my turn to go inside.
“I went inside and when I approached the teller, she refused to help and said she does not help people in pyjamas.”
Lameez, 33, says she tried to explain to the teller that she was not wearing pyjamas but it was in vain: “She kept on insisting that I go home and take a bath. The rest of the people in the queue then started laughing at me,” she fumes.
The six-months pregnant mother of four says at this point, the manager came over and she explained her situation.
“I explained to him that I am not wearing pyjamas, this was just a fleece top.”
To her surprise, she says the manager asked her to lift up her top for him to see what was underneath it.
“When the manager asked me to lift my top, I became more frustrated and angry.
“I felt humiliated, violated and the people around me continued laughing at me.
“The manager also told me to leave and I am disgusting. If I was not wearing a mask, I would have understood and gone back home, but not this.”
Lameez eventually left humiliated without receiving assistance.
“I am hurt by what happened. I respect my body, I would never go to any place wearing pyjamas or without bathing. I was not treated right.”
Post Office spokesperson Johan Kruger said the complaint is being investigated.
“One of the values of the Post Office is that we treat our customers and each other with dignity,” he said.
“Behaviour such as that alleged by the member of the public is therefore contrary to what the Post Office stands for.”
“The Post Office will investigate the event and follow this with a disciplinary procedure if this is warranted by the findings of the investigation.”