Cape Town’s ‘most wanted’: Saint club names and shames non-paying patrons

by Johana Mukandila

Popular nightclub in Cape Town, Saint Champagne Bar and Lounge issued a statement over the weekend pleading to those customers who drank alcohol and left without paying.

In the statement, the club has thanked those who have paid and those who have agreed to pay their outstanding balances while threatening to expose non-paying customers.

Some customers were contacted via phone call, email, and SMSs but could not be reached.

According to TimesLive, the Saint Champagne Bar and Lounge manager told TimesLive, that they would start publishing the faces of its “most wanted” on social media and as for those who have not yet paid up their outstanding balance have been given an extension up until Wednesday. 

The manager also told TimesLive, that the individuals who owed Saint money and are therefore on the “most wanted” list, owed money amounting to R224,000 while others owe amounts of about R150,000, R110,000 and R90,000.

The manager expressed to TimesLive, that they had reached a point of desperation due to the lack of non paying customers as some are said to be owing the club for the past six months or longer. 

 “It’s the big guys, they want to show off. They drive expensive cars. They want to show people that they have money but they can’t pay their bills,’’ he said while talking to TimesLive.

“We have been following up on the bills, calling and asking them to pay and getting only empty promises,” he added. 

“[The total] I can’t even mention, it is a lot of money,” he said while speaking to TimesLive.

Saint Club thanked those who have in the past day paid their tabs in full, paid a portion of the debt or who have reached out to make arrangements.

And for those who have not settled their bills by Wednesday have been warned to face the consequences, which include naming and shaming.

According to a statement released on Twitter, the club said: “We have many expenses and responsibilities and your failure to make payment has affected our business and many families. We have a duty to pay suppliers, staff, artists, talents, agents, attorneys, the city of Cape Town, government and contractors. They too have expenses and responsibilities. Same with the people they need to pay too.”