Controversial Cape Town catering company continues to trade

Complaints continue to stream in more than two weeks after Weekend Argus first reported on a dodgy Cape Town catering company.

Customers have complained about receiving poor service from Ruby’s Events and Catering for their weddings, birthday parties, matric balls, and funerals. They were told to “pay the full outstanding amount in 24 hours or lose the booking”. And then, when the big day arrived, Ruby’s either rocked up late with the food, often too little for all the guests, or the company was a no-show without so much as a phone call.

Some dissatisfied clients have demanded refunds from the Belhar-based company, but say they’re getting “the silent treatment” , while other clients have confirmed they received a refund.

Gabriella Barries from Southfield is getting married this coming Saturday. She’s paid Ruby’s more than R16 000 for catering since May. There’s been no refund yet, and Barries has had to fork out thousands more on Plan B. Lyndon Malan also wants the R19 000 he paid Ruby’s reimbursed for his wedding , which was supposed to happen in two weeks.

Others wanting a refund include: Anique Jansen’s R5 000, Lindsay Simpson’s R4 500, Olivia Le Cordeur’s R4 000, Bonita Abrahams’s R3 495, Chrissandy Charles’s R3 495, Colleen Julies’s  R3 495, Wilhelmina Jagers’s R3 000, Liesl George’s R2 500 and Kim Johnson’s R2 500.

Ruby’s admitted their problems started in early October. First, when rolling blackouts impacted their kitchen. Then, when owner Andre Jordaan was admitted to hospital. Jordaan is not speaking to the media and Ruby’s only communicates via Facebook messenger. The company’s attorney Enrico Philander, who is overseeing the refund process, is also tight-lipped on where it’s all gone so spectacularly wrong.

Client Rolene Smit said she had her doubts about the story she was being fed. "I don’t believe that he (Jordaan) was in hospital, because he was in a one-day coma. He was online (on his cellphone) on October 8, and posted an update on his WhatsApp status on Sunday October 10.“ Smit paid R3 495 for a Spit braai and snacks for her children’s baptism function on October 9. The food never came. Smit’s sister Chrissandy Charles paid the same amount for a buffet for another event later that month. However she asked for her money back when Ruby's disappointed her sibling.

Smit confirmed she was paid her refund on Friday. Charles is still waiting.

Philander Attorneys said: “The refund process started on October 17. We are processing these claims daily, and paying them out on a weekly basis.”

Ruby’s confirmed they are still operating. “We are scheduling and finalising events for 2022 and beyond. However we are not accepting payments for any events past or future, currently. Nor are we taking on additional orders.”

Chantay White tied the knot on April 3. Ruby’s was in charge of the wedding planning and catering. The price tag was an eye-watering R90 000. “They had me in tears before my wedding,” she said. “They messed up the food, cake, flowers … They didn’t even know my colour or theme."

“Andre told us he would give us a refund. He gave us a fake email address and he’s now not replying to our WhatsApp messages.”

Another unhappy client, Hano Williams, said his mother paid “this ponzi caterer” to provide food for her 60th birthday last Friday.

Juwayba Du Preez said she booked a harvest table for her daughter’s bridal shower. The caterer never showed up and she’s considering laying a charge of theft against Ruby’s.

Magauta Mphahlele, the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, said those affected were able to lodge complaints with her office. “The Commission has the power to launch a formal investigation into the general conduct of the supplier and where warranted, refer the matter to the National Consumer Tribunal for prosecution. The Tribunal can order refunds and levy an administrative fine of up to 10% of the annual turnover of the supplier,” she explained.

Philander Attorneys said: “We understand that there may be frustration. We are experiencing extremely high call volumes in these (refund) matters. We try and get back to the claimants as soon as we can. We want to spend less time on the phone and more time paying back clients.”

Cold comfort for Malan, who said his November wedding plans were ruined by Ruby’s who even lied about securing his venue.

“In September the wedding planner Nicole Trout said the Mistico Equestrian Centre, was no longer available. This was shocking to me so soon before our wedding date,” Malan said. “She mentioned they would find a new venue regardless of additional costs. We met up with Nicole again at Boschenmeer Golf Club in Paarl to view the place and we agreed on that as a new venue. Out of our scepticism, we contacted the venue directly a few days later, and the events manager mentioned there was no booking made for the date of our wedding."

Long story short, Malan is still waiting for a refund. And he’s been forced to change the date of the wedding while the search for a new venue continues.