[imagesource: Instagram / Discover Cape Town]

In a story first published last weekend on IOL, at least six men who worked at popular Orange Street restaurant Societi Bistro alleged that “they had been sexually harassed, groomed, manipulated or assaulted by upmarket male patrons, as well as the man at the helm”.

One former waiter went as far as to label it “a brothel in disguise” and a former female employee said the work culture was “toxic” and called owner Peter Weetman “misogynistic”.

We’ve previously outlined the allegations so we don’t need to rehash that aspect, although there were new developments this week.

IOL reports:

The restaurant, nestled in the heart of Gardens in the city bowl, run by Peter Weetman [below], is confronting the most tumultuous moment of its nearly 20 years of existence.

Weetman’s high-flying career dramatically crumbled roughly three days after the initial article appeared as he decided to step down.

Image: Instagram / @weetmanpeter

However, Weetman attributed the move to “suffering from arthritis” and ailing health.

“I suffer from RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and have had a severe flare-up in most of my joints, including my hands and jaw,” he said this week after Weekend Argus sent him a fresh set of questions.

Weetman’s decision to step down was reportedly announced to staff during a meeting on Saturday.

One of the men who had previously spoken on condition of anonymity has now gone on the record to detail an account of groping that he claims was ignored by management and Weetman.

DA youth member Tony McPherson said after he was groped on the restaurant premises, he accompanied Societi’s then-PR consultant to inform Weetman about what had occurred:

“…we asked them to remove Björn from the premises. (But) Peter told me I should just stay away from Björn as he can’t ask him to leave.”

…Weetman apparently informed them that Societi Bistro embodied the ethos of a so-called “Switzerland policy”.

That means remaining neutral.

The man accused of groping denies any involvement and McPherson has since opened a criminal case against him.

In response to the multiple media reports, a group of 100 protesters from the LGBTIQA+ community are expected to gather today outside of the restaurant to hand over a memorandum.

Natalie Jardine, the former PR consultant mentioned earlier who has now cut all ties with Societi, spoke with IOL:

[She] said some of the demands of the memorandum include a public apology, a call for all staff as well as Weetman to go for counselling, and the appointment of an external human resources company to manage this and any future HR issues…

“With both the protest and the memorandum, the aim is to spur on the change that is so much needed in Societi Bistro to keep staff and patrons safe.”

The protest has been organised by McPherson to show that “the queer community will not be bullied into silence and we always stand up for what’s right”. It will start from 4:30PM at the Company’s Garden.

It’s been disappointing to see some on Facebook commenting that working at a restaurant “isn’t for the fainthearted” as if that somehow excuses what multiple former staff members have called a “toxic” environment (and again, worse than that).

These allegations have not been proven in a court of law but some people who have been outspoken regarding ‘silence meaning compliance’ have suddenly been very quiet on this front.

[sources:iol&iol]