Vow to name and shame gets results

A THREAT to name and shame a group of bar bilkers on social media after they hot-footed it out of a Port Elizabeth pub and grub without paying at the weekend paid off when the alleged cheats were identified.

This happened after the restaurant briefly posted the diners’ pictures on Facebook last night. They were removed again after the people were identified.

The Stage Door at the Phoenix Hotel in Central lost out on R700 when four diners slipped out after their meal at about 8.45pm on Saturday.

Staff took to social media the next day to express their disgust and to warn the bilkers.

The Facebook post, which was shared almost 150 times, said: “The people who sat at the 1st high table in the restaurant last night and walked out without paying your bill NOTE – you have until 6pm tomorrow Monday 8th to come in and pay.

“Failing which a charge of bilking will be laid with the SA Police Service and once done your photographs from the CCTV will be published.

“You said you did not want your photograph taken for FB? Is this the reason – did you think you could BILK????”

Manager Nicholas Ofsowitz said the customers had not acted suspiciously at the time. “The bill came to just over R700,” Ofsowitz said.

“The four of them ordered wine, a bottle of Graca, a fillet steak, a rump steak and two seafood platters.”

Ofsowitz said the three men and a woman had been caught on CCTV footage and would be “easily recognised”.

“Port Elizabeth is a small town, and if they don’t come forward and we publish the material, they will be very embarrassed,” Ofsowitz said earlier.

“We have one of the largest Facebook followings of all the restaurants in this town and will post the footage to Facebook if need be.”

The four people had spoken to him at least three times while at the venue, discussing the food and wine.

Ofsowitz said in the last four months, three incidents of theft had occurred, two involving people leaving without paying and one involving credit-card fraud.

“All we are asking is for these people to come forward and pay,” he said of the latest incident.

A case of fraud can be opened against people who fail to pay hotel or restaurant bills, the law says.

The establishment can also sue the guest or diner for payment of the bill.

The Phoenix‚ established in 1837‚ is one of the oldest hotels still operating in the Eastern Cape. – Additional reporting by TMG Digital