Pajama issue update: Supermarket apologises
Family humiliated after they allegedly were told no sleepwear allowed in supermarket.
The branch of Pick n Pay in Westonaria, which recently allegedly denied two children access for wearing pajamas, has apologised to the family involved and said they will investigate the matter.
This development comes after a post on social media about the incident went viral. The woman who made the post, Audrey Anchileen Swart from Glenharvie, said when her family attempted to enter the supermarket on the evening of 26 October, they were denied access because her children were wearing pajamas.
Swart and her husband, Renier, 37, and their daughters, aged 7 and 11 years old, went to the store at about 7.20pm to purchase milk and bread, and something to eat for the evening.
That evening the weather was particularly bad, with lightning striking often.
Swart said, “I was walking into the store, ahead of my husband, because my daughters, especially the seven-year-old, are terrified of lightning. My husband followed shortly afterwards. We were busy shopping, when a Pick n Pay employee stopped me, greeted me and then shoved an A4 page in front of my face, which stated: “No children in sleepwear and clown outfits are allowed.”
After that the employee walked away. Swart’s husband was left standing with the trolley, with his mouth literally hanging open. When the family left, the same employee walked past her with a smirk on her face. The Pick and Pay employee then allegedly said, “Thank you for understanding”.
Swart then responded with the words, “No, I don’t understand.” Swart’s husband then asked to speak to the manager, but was told he was not in the store.
Swart and her family then went home, where she had to calm her daughters down, since they were distraught. Her husband then returned to the store, and insisted on speaking to the manager.
Mary-Anne Hattingh‚ from Pick n Pay’s national customer services, contacted the family after the story went viral and apologised to them. Hattingh said there is no such rule that children can not enter the Pick n Pay in their sleepwear, or in a clown’s outfit. Hattingh told the family that she will personally investigate the incident.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
