Cape Town - Skeem Saam actress Neo Ramitshana took to social media to share details of her alleged assault by a bouncer at a Pretoria restaurant on Woman’s Day.
The pregnant actress, who plays Botshelo on the popular soapie, alleges a bouncer at Altitude restaurant in Menlyn grabbed her by the neck and strangled her when she tried to pick up takeaway food she’d forgotten at the restaurant. She says she was also stripped during the altercation. Restaurant management has since refuted the claims.
"I’m so disgusted, outraged and hurt! What a way to conclude one’s Women’s Day," she wrote on Facebook.
"I had decided to go to Altitude in Pretoria particular because I was craving Wors & Pap and I also thought it would be an excellent way to celebrate Women’s Day."
Neo said she hadn’t been going out much during her pregnancy but convinced her sister, Malebo, to join her and that she had enjoyed her meal. She said they then left the restaurant but she forgot to take her leftovers with her. The actress said she returned for her food, which is when the alleged assault took place.
"As I turn around, I am then grabbed by a mountain of a man (Nigerian looking) - Bouncer! Shouting 'TAG', I’m like; 'I’m just going to fetch my food I’m leaving.' Then I proceed... He then grabs by me by neck, strangling me to pull me so I don’t proceed. I’m then aggravated and shouting 'WTF', and he proceeds to slap me around! ! Guys, I’m visibly pregnant, I’m a woman, and not that it matters but WE WERE FLIPPEN CELEBRATING WOMEN’S FLIPPEN DAY!
"Anyway – I’m then man handled by a number of other Altitude bouncers and stripped naked as a result of this altercation," she continued.
However, TimesLive reports that the general manager of the restaurant in question stated they had CCTV footage contradicting Neo’s post. He told the publication footage showed that she was the one who attacked their bouncer.
“The three of them attacked him [the bouncer] and slapped him in his face and we have got CCTV [footage] showing that nothing happened with this lady,” he told the publication.
In another statement posted onto their Facebook page, Altitude confirmed that an incident took place at their restaurant on Friday night but said the actress hadn’t responded to their attempts to set up a meeting.
"An altercation broke out between two women and a security guard at the restaurant which we are currently investigating internally. We regret that this incident happened, and we do not ever condone any form of violence against any person," they wrote.
The restaurant also said that they had video footage of the incident and were working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate the matter.
"Altitude has thus far obtained security reports, witness statements and video footage, and we have offered our full cooperation to SAPS to ensure a speedy investigation. The doorman accused of the assault has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, but we can confirm that he is not Nigerian. Until SAPS has completed their investigation, it would be premature to speculate any further about the facts of the matter. Once the investigation is complete we will share the findings. Kindest The Altitude team," they wrote.
Multiple attempts to contact SAPS spokesperson Mavela Masondo were unsuccessful at the time of publishing.
