By: Natasha Archary
There’s no place for discrimination in South Africa and this was reiterated when a Cape Town pub owner was called out for racism over the weekend.
Hank’s Old Irish Pub in Cape Town was accused for using its right of admission policy to stop Thabiso Danca from entering the establishment.
Speaking to media Thabiso said that he was denied entry by an employee who told him he needed to be accompanied by a white person to be let in.
The pub owner has since been confronted by Thabiso’s white friend, Christopher Logan. In a video that has since made headlines across the country, Christopher angrily tells the owner that discrimination in South Africa is a crime.
“You told me you have the right to let in who you want. You don’t. This is not a calm situation. It may be calm for you but you don’t have a right to discriminate in this country based on colour. That is a crime.”
Christopher’s angry rant included him sharing that the pub’s employees allowed another friend, Jordan who happens to be white in but barred Thabiso entry.
WATCH: The video below shows Christopher Logan confronting the owner of Hank’s.
Disclaimer: The video contains explicit language and may not be suitable to sensitive viewers.
@lesothotribune #Hank ♬ original sound – LesothoTribune
However, in a statement, the owner denies that this happened and confirmed they have opened a case of assault against Thabiso and his friends.
According to the owner CCTV footage from the establishment shows a physical altercation between Thabiso and his friends, and employees of Hank’s.
“We want to state categorically that in the past 30 years of operating businesses in Cape Town, we, as the owners, have never, nor have we ever instructed our staff, to discriminate on any basis whatsoever, whether that be gender, sexual orientation or race.
We also want to place on record that we are extremely concerned for the wellbeing and safety of our staff involved, therefore we will not be commenting any further while we conduct the required internal disciplinary process with regard to these allegations, and while police conduct their criminal investigation into the case of assault opened against the individuals making accusations in the video, on the owners of Hank’s.”
The owners of Hank’s denies prohibiting entrance to a man due to race
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