Couples book out amid xenophobic fears
Shortly after their arrival, the Durbanites were confronted by a man who told Juan that they were looking for ‘foreigners’.
INFLAMMATORY xenophobic threats reportedly made by guests at a local guesthouse in Empangeni, resulted in two Durban couples returning home out of fear in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Mandy and Johann Heiberg and Juan and Mignon Rinke, who had been attending a wedding just outside Empangeni, had booked in for the night at Amble Inn at around 1am.
Shortly after their arrival, the Durbanites were confronted by a man who told Juan that they were looking for ‘foreigners’.
‘He repeatedly asked us to open the reception area for them to gain access to ‘foreign’ employees there,’ said Mandy.
Other guests attending a work function at the guesthouse reportedly assured the couples that nobody intended them any harm.
According to Heiberg, there were people all around partying.
Fearing an incident of violence, the couples nevertheless decided to leave and drove to Durban the same night.
‘It was definitely not a pleasant experience,’ said Heiberg. ‘We were approached by an older male who said he was the manager and he apologised. We phoned him on our way back just to make sure he was okay.’
Nipped in the bud
According to Amble Inn owner John Vermaak, the incident was isolated and he had no knowledge of any xenophobic undertones. However, he confirmed that one of the guests attending the function had caused problems with other guests.
Vermaak has since been in contact with the offending guest, who offered his apologies for his actions.
The guest has agreed to reimburse the Durban couples, as well as paying for a weekend for both couples at the Amble Inn.
‘In the hospitality industry success depends on a solid reputation,’ said Vermaak. ‘We are a friendly and respectable establishment. It is our priority to settle disputes in an amicable manner so that guests always feel welcome and respected.’
@kcowan23
