The talk of the restaurant industry in Cape Town currently is the exploitation of male waiters working at Societi Bistro, performing sexual acts with its owner Peter Weetman and a number of gay diners at the restaurant.
The exposé was published in the Weekend Argus a week ago, and revealed that six waiters had contacted the newspaper. A follow-up story was published this past weekend.
In summary the story goes as follows:
According to LinkedIn Weetman has owned Societi Bistro for 19 years, having opened it in 
the Waterfront initially, and then moving it to Orange Street, where it still operates.
The waiters complained that they had ‘been sexually harassed, groomed, manipulated or assaulted by upmarket male patrons’, as well as by Weetman himself. The waiters describe the restaurant as a ’brothel in disguise’.
Waiter Jonathan Saunders was offered R1500 to go to bed with Weetman on the day of his job interview. Saunders refused. Another waiter was instructed to hang on to Weetman in the restaurant, to make the gay clients in the restaurant jealous. He had to be available to Weetman to fulfill his sexual desires 24/7. After almost two months he was fired, when he refused to further accede to Weetman’s sexual demands. Numerous other incidents of inappropriate behaviour by Weetman and by his gay male customers were experienced by Societi Bistro waiters. Former waiter Innes Maas has corroborated the goings on at Societi Bistro via Instagram.
Weetman organised escorts for a client associated with the DA dining at the restaurant, now revealed to be Tony McPherson, even though he was not interested nor had he requested them. He left the restaurant immediately. Another client who has admitted to having ‘inappropriately groped’ waiters is society Capetonian, Michaelhouse-educated and ‘Come Dine with Me’ celebrity chef Aubrey Ngcungama. Ngcungama has admitted the incident, and blamed it on an excess of wine. He has expressed his regret and has apologised.
Whilst denying most accusations against him a week ago, the latest Weekend Argus report states that Weetman has ‘quit’ and ‘stepped down’, yet he is the owner of the business. Unbelievably he is blaming Rheumatoid Arthritis for his action, which has flared up in his joints, the newspaper reveals. Weetman has ‘stepped down from all daily operational duties’ until his physical health is restored, it is reported.
McPherson has revealed his name, and shared that he was ‘viciously groped’ by Björn Salsone at the restaurant. Salsone denies the allegations and is considering legal action. McPherson has opened a criminal case against Salsone.
On LinkedIn Ngcungama is listed as General Manager of Arambrook Hotel in Bishopscourt, and his self-written glowing profile reads as follows: ‘The Connector, the hotelier. The archetypal social maven, with influential friends and contacts in all the ‘right’ South African social, diplomatic and political arenas, Aubrey is a dapper man-abouttown (sic) who is seen on virtually every guest list worth knowing. More importantly, he is adept at getting the crème de la crème in one room – for everything from brand launches to glittering social occasions. ‘Aubs’ opens doors like no other.’ Ngcungama has previously been a Business Relationship Executive and Ambassador for The One & Only Cape Town, and Founder of the Black Cellar Club BLACC.
At Societi Bistro Ngcungama is honoured with a framed photograph in the restaurant, having written these words of praise: ‘I can often be seen enjoying my mushroom risotto and Sauvignon Blanc at a bistro that has been going strong for 18 years. Societi Bistro is truly an institution to those that appreciate simplicity and great service. My dear friend Peter has such a passion for the industry that I doubt he sleeps more than a handful of hours a day when he isn’t working. This little gem of a place is right in the heart of the city but more than that, it should be the heart of the city. Expect Mediterranean influences, sprinkled with South African themes in between. And there’s no better value for your buck anywhere in this city.” – Aubrey Ngcungama’. ‘In celebration and to salute our regular guests we are reappointing our portraits in Societi Bistro with beautiful photographs 
of them, as a tribute to their ongoing support’, added Weetman on Facebook. Despite being such a beloved customer of Societi Bistro, it does not know how to spell Ngcungama’s surname on his photograph above.
Björn Salsone is Executive Director for BNI Cape Town and Johannesburg. His LinkedIn profile is not very helpful. On the BNI website he states that his business is to assist SMMEs ‘to really grow as big as they would like to be’.
Staff want Weetman and Ngcungama banned from the Societi Bistro premises, as well as a public apology. A picket of protest has been organised for tomorrow outside the restaurant.
I managed to only eat at Societi Bistro once, in 2010, and I wanted to get sick when using their disgusting bathroom. I never returned!
Postscript 11 July 2022: Salsone very quickly took exception to this post, in that his employer/company is mentioned in it, demanding that it be removed and threatening legal action!
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide
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