The Jam Tree, a local restaurant in Mount Pleasant, Harare, has been caught up in a racism storm after a black couple was reportedly racially attacked by a white manager at the popular eating hub.
The complainant, a Harare man only identified as Nyari Munda took to social media to expose the restaurant and explain the abuse he suffered at the hands of the white manager.
In a Facebook post, he wrote:
“Yesterday my wife and I went to get food at this establishment (Jam Tree), and on getting there, we asked if we could park in the back car park by the golf course whilst we wait for our food. The waiter told us it was okay and we should park in the usual spot.
We drove there and parked on the grass literally three metres away from the owner’s car. There was a gardener there watering the grass and he didn’t seem to have an issue with where we parked.
To my surprise this white South African guy (the owner), came from nowhere and started yelling at us for parking on wet grass. The guy called us dumb, stupid and all sorts of derogatory words.”
I urged him to communicate properly since we are regular customers of over 8 years, and we are here to promote his business. He jumped right back into a crazy fit and said we don’t need people like you supporting my business.
The guy was so heated at some point I thought he wanted to fight me. He kept pulling crazy faces, taunting me, storming away then coming back as if he’s about to fight. Once again I kept calm and watched this mad man talk to us like we are worthless.
I apologised again and cautioned him to address clients nicely but he wouldn’t have it and started with the insults again. He then stormed into Jam Tree, where we heard him yelling at the workers at the top of his voice.
Soon after the waiters including the chef rushed to the car park and started apologising on this guys behalf. They begged us to stay but at this point we were fed up. Even the gardner was shocked at this guys conduct but he just watched in amazement.
He openly shouts at his workers in front of guests and uses a lot of racist derogatory statements. A year and half ago the same guy told me to f*** off when I complained about my meal. I threatened to go to social media and he said ‘it’s people like you we don’t want here’…
He has no respect and he thinks this is South Africa. The workers always look terrified when he’s around and he talks to them like dogs. Jam Tree was a better place before this new management took over.
After 9 years of being a loyal client, I don’t think I’ll ever go back there again.”
Jam tree issued a statement apologizing to Nyari and his wife, confirming the incident but denying that it was a racist attack. They argued that The Jam Tree was a multicultural venue that supports cultural diversity.
However, the statement was not welcomed by angry social media users who claim the eatery was indeed racist as there is an isolated spot where only white people are allowed. They went on to suggest that the restaurant should close shop.
See below the statement issued by The Jam Tree:
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