‘This isn't Beggar King’
|Published
‘POLICY’: Burger King at N1 City ‘POLICY’: Burger King at N1 City
A Good Samaritan was left fuming after she bought a meal for a begging boy and was chased out a Burger King restaurant.
Velia Davids, 54, says the manager of the N1 City, Goodwood, branch told her it was company policy not to allow beggars inside the premises.
She says she had just finished her meal last Saturday and while walking to her car with her husband, they were approached by the kaalvoet klonkie.
“He said ‘aunty please, buy me something to eat’, and I took him inside to buy him a meal,” explains Velia.
“He looked at the prices and said, ‘aunty, all these meals look expensive, you can buy me potato chips elsewhere’.”
Velia says she told the boy, aged 16, not to worry, and that she doesn’t mind paying.
RULE: Manager of Burger King N1 City, Goodwood
She says just as the starving boy was about to take a bite of his burger, the manager stopped him.
“He said they do not allow kids like him in the establishment and that they have a policy that must be followed,” says an outraged Velia.
“I was angry, I asked to be shown the policy but it was nowhere to be seen.
“Security was called to take the boy out. He is not a dog to be chased away like that.”
Velia says a white couple watching the incident tried to intervene: “They asked for the policy too and said if it is available, it was inhumane. They gave the boy R100 and promised to write to Burger King to complain.”
She says they left the restaurant and the boy ate his kos on the street.
Velia runs a soup kitchen from her Kensington home, and her friend Chantell Philander says she’s always had a soft spot for children.
“She loves children and when she told me about the incident, I could not imagine how hurt she was,” says Chantell.
Velia has also taken to Facebook to tackle Burger King.
Daily Voice spoke to the shy boy, who said he lives in Kraaifontein and travels by train to N1 City to beg for food.
“My mother passed away and I am always here to beg for food,” he says.
Vincent Jooste says he wrote to Burger King to lay a complaint.
“You cannot kick someone out based on how they look, that is clear discrimination,” Jooste says.
“They said they have the right of admission and can evict anyone they see fit.”
Jooste says Burger King replied to his email, saying the incident was “unacceptable”.
When the Daily Voice
visited the restaurant on Thursday, the manager called their branch manager, who would only identify
himself as Wynand.
RULE: Manager of Burger King N1 City, Goodwood
Wynand says they are investigating and will be taking statements from everyone.
Asked about their policy that prevents the homeless from eating at their restaurants, he responded: “Our conversation is now over,” before dropping the call.
Hi Veve, this matter was brought to our attention this afternoon and we are doing all due diligence to make sure it is dealt with appropriately. We do not take it lightly as we pride ourselves in being a restaurant for everyone regardless of race and creed.
— BURGER KING® South Africa (@BurgerKingZA) March 5, 2020