Update, 31 May: Solms Delta has released an official statement about the event, refuting allegations of racism. The estate claims that the staff involved were black, and therefore could not have racially profiled.
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Users on Twitter and Facebook were not appeased by the statement.
Honestly not interested in the statement. Have you called & apologized to the victim yet? pic.twitter.com/ujzhlyFWWE
— Brett Robson (@brettrobson) May 30, 2017
1. you still think she’s guilty hence you’re not apologising
2. no footage was supplied when the police asked for it
3. You are #racist—
(@ColourM3lush) May 30, 2017
Original article: Nodumo Dee Mhlongo has sparked outrage on Twitter after posting a thread unveiling an “horrific experience” at Solms Delta wine estate in Franschhoek Saturday.
According to Mhlongo, she and a friend were visiting the estate an hour before its website said it would close. But when they got there, they were initially turned away.
@solms_delta The lady at the counter told us they closed at 5, it was 5:02 but we respected her very aggressive request for us to leave.
— Nodumo Dee Mhlongo (@DumoDee) May 28, 2017
Another “gentleman” offered to conduct the tasting, and the two were escorted to the tasting room. While they were “thoroughly enjoying the experience,” police showed up.
@solms_delta I instantly got nervous cops genuinely scare me…but I haven’t done anything wrong so it’s cool
— Nodumo Dee Mhlongo (@DumoDee) May 28, 2017
Eventually Mhlongo realised they were there for her.
According to the thread, the young woman was asked to enter a separate room because she was under investigation. In the thread, Mhlongo describes a time of immense confusion and fear, in which she was searched and spoken over loudly in Afrikaans.
Solms Delta began trending in South Africa on Monday for all the wrong reasons
The patron subsequently learned that an employee had identified her as a woman who had been stealing bags from both the estate and Canal Walk Shopping Centre. When she asked where the evidence was, Solms Delta’s manager told her there was CCTV footage.
@solms_delta So basically I am under investigation for being a black woman that looks like another criminal black woman
— Nodumo Dee Mhlongo (@DumoDee) May 28, 2017
The alleged footage was nowhere to be found, and the employee who had identified her had left.
@solms_delta I was harassed and humiliated with absolutely no proof of wrongdoing.
— Nodumo Dee Mhlongo (@DumoDee) May 28, 2017
The thread’s top tweet has been retweeted 192 times, and has garnered a lot of support from the online community.
@DumoDee I don’t think an apology will be enough! Legal action is required! Please talk to someone and sue their asses!
— Jenny Adams (@JennyA_Z) May 28, 2017
@DumoDee Oh my god. This whole thread makes me so so angry/sad/dismayed. This is definitely a racial profiling problem
— Amy Walker (@Telling_Tales92) May 29, 2017
@DumoDee time to start a list of all racist establishments, their directors and any other business they’re involved in, and #Boycott
— Les Ma-ada (@lesmorgp) May 29, 2017
Solms Delta issued a statement to Twitter Monday morning, claiming that they aim for transformation and empowerment of staff.
According to its website, the estate “facilitates the sharing of land and equity in the business with [its workers].”
We regret the incident at our farm on Saturday evening during which SAPS engaged with visitors at our tasting room…
— Solms Delta (@solms_delta) May 29, 2017
We are not able to divulge further details but understand that the officers followed due process. Kind Regards, Solms-Delta
— Solms Delta (@solms_delta) May 29, 2017
By 11am Monday morning, the estate was trending in Johannesburg.
Mhlongo’s story isn’t dissimilar to an incident last year that saw Cape Town restaurant Clarke’s under fire for alleged racial profiling. After being removed from the premises for no apparent reason, Nicholas Vries took to Facebook to express his disdain for the establishment. Clarke’s eventually apologised, but many still do not believe its version of events.
We have reached out to both Mhlongo and Solms-Delta for further comment.
