Active since Jan 2026
I worked at this restaurant for a month and had a very disappointing experience. The workplace was unhygienic, there were no employment contracts or payslips provided and no external health or labour inspectors, the owner inspected the place themselves. Staff are short paid and I was paid only R1,800 for a full month of work, they said it’s only for transport to come to work, which was not what was agreed upon. When I raised the issue, I was told it was because I had just graduated from culinary school and was still “in training,” despite performing full duties. Other staff members were dismissed after asking for contracts, payslips and benefits. Due to these conditions, I did not return. I would not recommend working there.
Subject: Urgent Workplace & Food Safety Complaint – Le Rêve Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, Tulbagh Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding serious workplace, labour and food safety concerns at Le Rêve Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, located in Tulbagh, Witzenberg Local Municipality, Western Cape. I was employed as a Line Cook/Commis Chef and the issues outlined below require urgent investigation for the safety and wellbeing of both staff and guests. KEY CONCERNS 1. Unsafe and unhygienic kitchen conditions · The kitchen is dirty, poorly maintained and infested with ****roaches and flies. · Staff are pressured to re-purpose leftover food (e.g, serving unfinished dishes to other guests), creating serious food safety risks. · The kitchen does not meet professional hygiene standards and is unsafe for food preparation. 2. Toxic workplace environment · Staff are regularly belittled, disrespected and threatened by management. · There is no proper leadership, accountability or transparency. · Internal complaints raised with management have not resulted in any improvements. Salary inconsistencies and dishonest practices · Payments are unclear, inconsistent, and often below the agreed upon rates. · Staff members are never/hardly paid more than R250 per day, even when working a full double shift. · Zimbabwean staff working in housekeeping and scullery are paid as little as R180 per day, regardless of the length of their shift, which is exploitative and discriminatory. · There have been instances of dishonest manipulation of orders and tips, resulting in financial discrepancies among staff. · Management frequently orders food for personal use and then opens tabs under staff members’ names without their knowledge or consent, effectively forcing employees to pay for the manager’s personal orders. 4. Poor live-in accommodation for staff from outside the Western Cape(Tulbagh) · Staff provided with accommodation are placed in a very small single-bedroom unit with three single beds, providing no privacy. · The living environment is unhygienic and unsuitable for acceptable living standards. · Staff who raise concerns are threatened with dismissal or told to leave. These issues negatively affect staff morale, mental health and guest safety. Non-compliance with Certificates of Analysis (COAs) The establishment is also using various food products and cleaning chemicals without valid or up-to-date Certificates of Analysis (COAs). Several COAs have expired, while others are non-compliant with required safety standards. This poses a serious health risk, as the safety and quality of these products cannot be verified. This violates Municipal Environmental Health requirements, which mandate that restaurants maintain valid COAs for food ingredients, sanitizers, detergents and all consumables used in food preparation areas. The continued use of non-compliant products increases the risk of contamination and foodborne illness. REQUEST FOR ACTION I request an intervention from the CCMA, the Department of Labour, Witzenberg Environmental Health, Cape Winelands District Municipality and the relevant labour unions to: · Investigate the working conditions, hygiene, and food safety practices at the establishment. · Ensure compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, food safety legislation and occupational health and safety regulations. Please confirm receipt of this complaint. I am available to provide supporting evidence, including photographs, messages and receipts, upon request. Kind Regards, Phefumlela Tywala Former Line Cook/Commis Chef NB: Pictures/Images for proof can be sent upon request Thank you
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