There were reports that no security guards were present during the alleged McDonald’s assault.
McDonald’s South Africa has launched an investigation following a viral video showing a male customer allegedly assaulting a female employee at its Kenilworth branch in Cape Town.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, has gained significant attention after the video amassed more than one million views on Facebook and spread across various social media platforms.
McDonald’s responds to viral alleged assault video
The company acknowledged that the incident occurred between a customer and one of its employees.
“We are aware of a video circulating online showing an altercation between a customer and one of our employees on Monday, March 17.
“We take the safety of our employees and customers very seriously and have instituted a full investigation into the matter,” said Daniel Padiachy, chief marketing officer at McDonald’s South Africa.
According to information provided to News24 by a company employee, the employee was allegedly assaulted by an intoxicated customer who forced his way into the kitchen and physically shoved her.
Reports say the customer claimed he had waited more than two hours for his food order.
His claims were denied by workers who were on duty.
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Security concerns raised
According to a report by News24, there were allegations that no security guards were present during the incident.
A source allegedly told the publication that the incident was not isolated and that there had been previous instances where employees had been targeted at the same location.
The News24 source indicated that despite being visibly distressed following the assault, the female employee was reportedly required to finish her work shift.
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Details of the McDonald assault
The video footage shows a tall white male standing in the kitchen area behind the counter.
The area he is in is restricted McDonald’s workers only.
He appeared to have passed one employee who was at the cashier’s desk and was assisting another customer.
The employee that the customer is allegedly accosting can be seen and heard on video saying the man must wait for his food.
The male customer is then seen raising his hand with two fingers extended before abruptly pushing the female worker.
He can be heard saying he’s been waiting for two hours while the woman responds by questioning his claims, asking “Which two hours?”
She immediately responds by telling him to stop pushing her.
The employee and the customer then get into an altercation, and the employee responds by blocking the customer’s hand.
The footage shows her holding a chip fryer, which she appears to use defensively while the male continues his aggressive behaviour, attempting to strike her.
Meanwhile, a male colleague attempts to intervene by making space between the perpetrator and his colleague.
The woman confronts the customer, asking: “Who do you think you are to hit a woman?”
The male customer moves out of the camera’s frame but remains in the kitchen area. He can be heard calling her a “piece of s***.”
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Intervention by other customers
The video shows a male patron hesitating to intervene, but eventually, a few men pass to enter the area behind the counter.
The group of concerned male customers then entered the restricted area in an apparent attempt to assist the worker and confront the customer.
Meanwhile, other customers close to the person recording can be heard saying the customer behind the counter is intoxicated, corroborating the claim from the News24 source.
The recording ends at this point.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many calling for accountability and improved safety measures for fast food workers.
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