Videos: Ballito restaurant rage driver out on bail

Patrick Kalil was released on R2 000 bail after his car battered into the doorway of Nikos Coalgrill Greek restaurant in Ballito on Sunday afternoon.

He appeared in the KwaDukuza Court on Monday and will next appear on September 20 on charges of drunken driving and reckless and/or negligent driving.

The restaurant owners also laid a charge of malicious damage to property.

The incident followed an altercation where Kalil was reportedly asked to leave the restaurant. He returned in his car and allegedly drove into the doorway, breaking through into the foyer.

Restaurant owner Tania Tsiantos said Kalil had arrived with a friend at around 13:00. She claimed he became increasingly disruptive, kicking a chair and being rude to staff after being informed that vaping was not allowed inside.

“We called security, and he left, but he came back,” Tsiantos said.

Kalil left again after a scuffle outside the restaurant.

“I was just checking if there was any blood that needed cleaning up when I saw him coming down in his car,” Tsiantos added. “He drove into the door, reversed, and then hit it again, breaking through on the second attempt.”

In video footage of the incident, Tsiantos can be seen running down the stairs as the car strikes the doorway behind her.

“I shouted ‘move!’ trying to get everyone away,” she said. “I feared for my life; I’ve never been so scared. The whole building shook like an earthquake.”

In the video, Kalil exits his vehicle, after which an unknown male tries to hit him but falls. A third person intervenes.

Watch it here:

Fortunately, no one was injured. Kalil was arrested by Umhlali SAPS and taken for blood alcohol testing at a hospital.

Tsiantos estimated that the incident, including damage to the door, food wastage, and lost business, cost the restaurant around R200 000.

The restaurant was closed on Monday for repairs but reopened on Tuesday.

Kalil declined to comment when approached by The North Coast Courier.