This article is not simply a review of poor bar service, but an account of alleged illegal ill-treatment; racist and homophobic behaviour at Dust and Dynamite that resulted in violence, defaming, and slander. These are serious accusations. But incidents like these must be identified and dealt with so that spaces in Cape Town which exclude people due to identity or race can be called out. This city is supposed to be an inclusive, urban space, a melting pot of cultures, backgrounds, and identities. We must examine how establishments treat their patrons, so we can ensure that ethical standards are upheld in our society.

This is an account of the events that occurred on the 12th of April 2024, established from personal observations while witnessing the event, interviews with those involved, and statements from eyewitnesses. This article will depict both the accounts of the patrons and the account of the owner of Dust and Dynamite. I’ll set the scene. Cape Town CBD, Friday the 12th of April 2024, midnight. After a 21st birthday. 20 people, aged between 20 and 24, spontaneously arrived at Dust and Dynamite, a small bar in Zonnebloem.

This was not a planned event, but a small group of people going to a bar. The crowd was made up mostly of students who attend universities in the city. Many of them studied Law together, some Sustainable Development, others, Economics Honours. IDs were verified, and the students were all let in without a problem. Dust and Dynamite advertises itself as an “Authentic Wild West Saloon”, “Tarantino style”.

They have certainly adopted the culture of the Wild West. The tavern is dimly lit by a mixture of candles and exposed electric light bulbs, washing the whole place in a yellow light. The flooring, bar tops, tables and bannisters are made from uneven, exposed timber. Similarly, the door to the entrance and bathroom is also made from slightly chipped wood, with two swinging ornamented doors on hinges that don’t quite touch the ground. One can imagine a man in cowboy boots kicking them down, gun in hand, cigarette in mouth. It was straight out of an old Western movie. From the outside, it seemed like an exciting and alternatively themed bar.

The walls are hidden by a myriad of portraits and antiques. A framed picture of a man with a handlebar moustache and cowboy hat fiercely stared back, proudly bearing a rifle. Next to it, another, this time boasting a pistol. A vintage rifle with two long noses was innocently nailed to the wall. Another portrait of a man with a gun. A small human skull humbly sat on a shelf, gazing forlornly at its partner, an exposed animal skull with short horns and bare eye sockets. To the right, a horse saddle, decorated with feathers. The two giant wagon wheels looked like they had rolled from Voortrekker vehicles straight into the bar. The Western theme was emblematized by the glass cabinet displaying a variety of vintage guns nailed to the wood. The furniture is all clearly antique: sagging chairs surrounded by ornamented tables. Lighting up the room was a circular low hanging rusting chandelier, decorated with flaming candles. A walking stick with a metal skull replacing the handle leaned against the wall. A large fake cactus. The centrepiece: large red confederate flag hung in pride of place: directly above the bar. 

The following is an account from several patrons who witnessed and were involved in the scene:

On arrival, the group walked to the bar, where the birthday host, let’s call them Cameron, was greeted by the owner, literally, with a “fuck you”. Confused, as one may think that bringing 20 young people to the bar is good for business, Cameron asked the owner, why he was so upset. The group had not paid the R5000 deposit that was expected for birthday events. Though they had arrived spontaneously and hadn’t expected to pay a deposit, this was a 21st birthday, so it was agreed that they were happy to pay the deposit: “No problem – you are welcome to swipe my card now for the R5000”. Though sales had already been made, The owner started swearing uncontrollably and said: “no, it’s too late”. Cameron recounts trying to reason with him, surprised by his reaction. He continued to express anger, and the group began to gather themselves, with the intention of leaving.As everyone was slowly filtering out the bar, chaos erupted.

The following are quotes from members of the group who witnessed the events:

“He was flinging insults at us for no reason and said he “hates fa****ts” (The owner did admit to saying that the patrons were ‘f****ts’ and from the video evidence linked, one can observe the direct quote ‘I do not serve f****ts’.).

“This is when our group became very upset and pushed back with verbal insults. We had been so unfairly treated we could not believe the reception we got.” 

“He then progressed to pepper spray 2 young women and a man who was not a threat to him whatsoever after we had left his bar. I want to point out it is illegal to pepper spray anyone who is not an imminent physical threat to a person, as it constitutes an assault. This is also not the first time The owner has pepper sprayed individuals at his establishment.” (see previous reviews, where previous incidents have reported the establishment violence and use of pepper spray). By now, the CCID had arrived at the scene. These quoted statements, which are also shown in video evidence, depict the owner refusing service to customers due to the identity of peoples within the group.

Now, for The owner’s account of the story: (this is an account of an interview over the phone, where intentions of writing an article were clear).

“I was approached by the host, who wanted to have a 21st birthday at my bar. I told him that we don’t normally take that many youngsters in the bar because we’ve had problem with youngsters before. We arranged a refundable deposit of R5000, which was meant to be paid before. The host never replied, so the booking was never made. At around 10:30 40 kids rocked up at the place. The bar was already half full and more people were coming.”

(It is to be noted that the patrons accounted for 3 other people at the bar, with no sign of any new customers coming. Further, they account 20 members of the group which The owner refers to as “youngsters”)

The owner recounts asking what they were doing here. The patrons replied that some of them had decided to come after their party for a few drinks and assumed it would be good for business, given the fact that Dust and Dynamite is a bar. The owner said that the bar was expecting more people, so he switched off the music, saying that there was not enough space for “you people”. 

“I did say something about the one guy who was very obviously gay. He threw his drink, and then I grabbed him by his neck and thought it better not hurt him, so I threw him out the door. I eventually said something derogatory about fa****ts to him because I was so angry, and he had pushed me far. I said what I shouldn’t have said.”

“I ended up pepper spraying 3 people, the 3 most aggressive of the group. I was assaulted several times that night”.  “I am old enough to be their grandfather, they should be showing me a little bit of respect”.

I have largely used direct quotes from the interview, where the owner has admitted to using derogatory language based on identity, which all the patrons believe to be the reason for them being denied service in what was an almost empty bar. Utilising language which incites, propagates, or advocates hatred based on identity is a violation of the law. Understanding the history of this word and the violence that comes with it, one would understand the fear and anger of the patrons. It is also noted that while pepper spray is completely legal in South Africa, utilising pepper spray when the harm is not immediately threatening, or the response is not proportionate to the harm constitutes assault.

It didn’t take me long to find reviews from previous experiences similar to that of the 12th of April. A quick scroll through Trip Advisor said a lot about the values of the bar. Although there are some stellar reviews (unique place, good décor etc), evidence of previous incidents filters its way into the internet. 

Cape Town is famous for its unique nightlife, which encourages an open-minded and inclusive mindset. It is largely inspired by the club culture of Berlin, driven by sex and gender positivity, anonymity and respect. People see these as spaces to express themselves without criticism or judgment. The music associated with this nightlife is seen as a meditative and freeing experience, where ‘going out’ is seen by many as a therapeutic and cultural endeavour. 

It is particularly unfortunate that derogatory and cruel behaviour has previously been accepted or skimmed over. The Dust and Dynamite, as an establishment, needs to face the consequences of breaching the trust of its patrons, who were fiercely targeted and treated with violence due to their identity. This kind of behaviour might have previously (wrongly) been dismissed, but we must call out slander and expose it for what it is: violent and cruel defamation.