Lumka Mbele, a Metrorail commuter and influencer, shared a harrowing experience of being physically assaulted by security guards on a Cape Town train after refusing to reciprocate a flirtatious greeting.The incident, captured in a viral video, shows Mbele being manhandled by three guards who reportedly used the isiXhosa/isiZulu term 'Hamba!' to intimidate her.

She revealed that similar incidents had occurred previously, with security personnel targeting her for simply resting her feet on a seat—a practice once tolerated.

The Patriotic Alliance's mayoral candidate, Cheslyn Steenberg Daniels, condemned the violence, arguing it exemplifies systemic mistreatment of vulnerable communities.

Prasa, the train operator, acknowledged the incident and emphasized its commitment to upholding safety and respect standards, stressing that discrimination based on personal characteristics is prohibited under constitutional law.