Cape Town - The property owner of a Bree Street restaurant, which is allegedly operating as a brothel, has offered a R10 000 reward to anyone who can prove there have been illicit activities taking place at the premises.
Attorney Percival Choritz refuted allegations from the Rev Karl Groepe and another Bree Street property owner, Katherine Friedman, that The Nunnery restaurant is a front for a brothel.
Choritz owns the property at 207/209 Bree Street where The Nunnery operates from and Friedman co-owns Orphanage Cocktail Emporium, Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar and Palma, also in Bree Street.
He said the allegations were “a disgraceful fabrication”.
“There is no prostitution or brothel keeping or any such associated activities of any nature whatsoever at 207/209 Bree Street,” Choritz said.
“I challenge any person to call at these premises at any time of day or night to investigate the true facts…
“I have no financial or other involvement in the running of the business conducted at 207/209 Bree Street.
“I am willing to put my money where my mouth is, and should any person whosoever after investigation produce credible evidence of illicit activities at these premises, I will pay such person R10 000.”
Groepe is a reverend at St Paul’s Church, located directly opposite The Nunnery.
Last week, Groepe wrote an open letter to Choritz, slating the restaurant for “illicit and sorrowful trade”.
In a plea to Choritz, Groepe wrote: “We appeal to your common decency and sense of community in respectfully asking you to stop endorsing and profiting from this unsavoury trade on your premises at 207 Bree Street, which has become all the more inappropriate and transparent as the rest of Bree Street has evolved into the quality dining and entertainment destination it is today.”
Groepe added that the restaurant signage “The Nunnery” makes a “very public mockery” not only of their faith, but also the history and heritage of Cape Town.
“It highlights the utter contempt and disrespect afforded to our church and congregation by your shameful tenant Mr Nunn,” he said.
Friedman said The Nunnery’s owner, Garith Nunn (Choritz’s tenant), had since moved “the girls” to another venue in Plein Street.
Nunn has since accused Friedman of plotting against himself and Choritz. “Her allegations have caused me and my family great damage. My eldest was recently beaten up at school because of the rumours she’s spreading and my business is suffering.
“Friedman wants to buy the property and increase the rent,” Nunn said.
Friedman said: “My only motivation is to make Bree Street a better place to live.”
Cape Times