Cape Town pub denies discrimination, claims intimidation by protestors
Hanks Olde Irish Pub in the Cape Town CBD claims its staff have been subjected to intimidation by protestors targeting the venue "based on unfounded and unproven accusations".
The establishment came under fire after a video, in which a young white man can be seen confronting an older white man, went viral over the weekend.
The confrontation came after a black man was apparently refused entry to the pub unless he was accompanied by a white person.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the owners claim there is a social media campaign targeting their venue, owners and staff members.
"It has been brought to our attention that this campaign has now extended to protest action at our venue on the 6th of December 2022. The venue, the owners and our staff have received direct threats of intimidation, violence, and damage to persons and property by individuals who have stated in the media that they will be participating in the said protest.
"They have also been attempting to incite others to perpetrate acts of violence and damage to property against Hanks Olde Irish, the owners and our staff."
The owners deny there has never been an instruction for the staff members to discriminate against anyone.
"The owners of Hanks Olde Irish wish to once more state categorically that in the past 30 years of operating businesses in Cape Town, as well as a registered NPO, 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 well-being and safety of our staff involved."
The establishment says the required internal disciplinary process will be conducted while the police conduct a criminal investigation into a case of assault opened against the person seen making accusations in the video.
This comes while Concerts SA, which is a joint South African project working with musicians, promoters, venues and institutions, suspended its support for events at the venue.
In a statement, Concerts SA said none of its concerts will take place at the venue until the accusations have been investigated and a satisfactory conclusion reached.
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