Hank’s Olde Irish Tavern is open for business after shutting its doors, amid allegations of racism, following a viral video.
Also read: Watch: Video of racist incident at Cape Town pub goes viral
While unable to give the exact date of the reopening, the establishment’s legal representative said that while there were some matters that still needed to be investigated and resolved, the pub was not about to call last rounds.
A video of the Cape Town drinking establishment being called out for a racist incident, was widely shared in early December, resulting in widespread calls for an end to institutionalised racism.
In the clip, Christopher Logan, a friend of the alleged victim, Thabiso Danca, is seen confronting the owner of the establishment after Danca was denied entrance.
According to Danca, the bouncer said that Hank’s had a right of admission policy that stated he needed to be accompanied by a white person to enter the pub.
The pub subsequently issued a media statement, saying that in their 30 years of service, there had never been any instruction to staff to disallow patrons entrance on the basis of race or gender discrimination. They added that charges of assault had been opened against Logan and that the matter was subject to further investigation.
CCTV footage of this alleged assault by Logan, without audio, was also supplied to the police for further investigation.
Speaking to SABC News about the case opened by Hank’s, Logan denied the assault, saying that the co-owner, who arrived after the initial incident, had been extremely confrontational and had them forcibly removed from the pub, reiterating that Hank’s reserved the right of admission.
While praising the efforts of the white man seen arguing with the owners in the video, the EFF has vowed not to allow the pub to reopen.
However, with patrons lining the busy bar counter when Cape{town}Etc visited the pub, it was business as usual at Hank’s on Thursday despite ongoing investigations.
“There has been an internal inquiry, chaired by an independent commissioner, that found that the member of staff was not involved in any racist incident,” said Hank’s legal representative, William Booth. “Reciprocal criminal charges have been laid because a group of people, including Christopher Logan and his brother, arrived at the tavern and assaulted the owners, physically attacking them, the following day.”
Booth said that a docket had been opened at Cape Town Police Station and referred to the Senior State Prosecutor for a decision as to whether to prosecute anybody. “We are still waiting for that decision,” he explained.
“We can’t go into too much detail but we strongly believe the antagonists here were the Logan brothers, amongst others and that the tavern owners and their employees didn’t perform any kind of illegal act.”
“We have also addressed comments from the Human Right Commission (SAHRC), putting this matter in its true perspective but have not received any final communication from them.”
Booth added that the Liquor Board addressed correspondence to his clients about their licence. “That matter has been resolved and the Liquor Board has found in my client’s favour and the business was reopened.”
“I can’t give exact dates but it has been running since just prior to the Christmas period.”
“I believe that those who know the owners and have been going to the establishment for some time will agree that they do not tolerate any form of racism.”
Meanwhile, the EFF said that they would respond to media enquiries as soon as they receive feedback from the South African Human Rights Commission.
Also read:
Hank’s Olde Irish Tavern: Whites should “conscientise” themselves- EFF
Picture: Cape{town}Etc/ Murray Swart