UPDATE: Virgin Active issues an apology for T-shirt incident in Houghton

UPDATE: 14 August 2015, 6:30pm – Virgin Active have apologised for asking a member of their gym, Muhammed  Desai, to remove an item of clothing or to leave their premises on the evening of 12 August.

According to Desai, he was told prior to the incident that he was  not allowed to wear a BDS item of clothing or any similar item to the gym as other members found it offensive and for his own safety.

According to a press release, Virgin Active thoroughly investigated the decisions that they took and they feel that they were wrong.

The press release stated, “This process included a very senior team flying immediately to Johannesburg to personally meet with the member concerned.”

According to the press release, Desai or any other member is able to wear any legal item of clothing.

“We regret the incident and have learnt from it. We apologise to Mr Desai for denying him him entry to the health club on these grounds.”

Prior to the incident, Desai had requested the instruction in writing that barred him from wearing similar shirts, however, he never received one.

UPDATE:  13 August 2015, 4:30pm – According to a press release from Virgin Active, their objective is for their health clubs to take a neutral stance in creating a space where their members are free to interact and reach their goals and train while in the same time respecting the rights and freedoms of other members.

Virgin Active stated, “We are not in the business of restricting speech or policing personal behaviour unless it contravenes the club rules, the law or carries some kind of threat to the safety of staff and members. In all instances we seek a negotiated solution to any perceived conflict.”

“The T-shirt worn by Mr Desai generated strong complaints from fellow members at the Old Eds club and he was politely requested by management not to wear it in future. He aggressively declined this request and said he would force entry if he was refused. When he appeared at the club, clearly intent on making a political statement and generating confrontation, management were genuinely concerned about the potential consequences and called on the police to intervene,” added Virgin Active’s statement.

According to Virgin Active they have never experienced a situation like this before and they feel that they have learned from this incident.

Virgin Active stated, “We need to make it clear that no legal item of clothing is banned from Virgin Active clubs but we would hope that members would understand the need for both tolerance and respect in this space.”

We do not believe our clubs should be forums for contentious political activity. Mr Desai has not been banned and is welcome to return to train as a member as long as he respects the conditions of membership.”

According to the statement, Virgin Active have contacted Desai to discuss their position.

“Any member who made provable threats on our premises of physical violence against Mr Desai, or any member on any occasion, will have their membership reviewed and possibly terminated,” added Virgin Active.

UPDATE: 13 August 2015, 10am –  Mohammed Desai spoke to the North Eastern Tribune and according to him, he received a telephone call prior to the incident that occurred last night at Virgin Active Houghton. Desai claims that he was told that he would not be allowed to enter any Virgin Active gyms in the country wearing any BDS t-shirts or any other shirts of a similar nature.

“The regional manager assured me that this was instructed to him by the very highest level of Virgin Active. He mentioned that one of the reasons I was not allowed to wear the t-shirt was for my safety.”

According to Desai, he asked for this instruction in writing however he never received it.

“I decided to go to the gym last night and upon arriving I was asked to leave and I refused to and questioned why I wasn’t given this instruction in writing and that I was a paying member of Virgin Active.”

According to Desai, the police arrived and stated they could not arrest him just for wearing a t-shirt and if he (Desai) was arrested they would arrest the assaulter.

“What has been nice is that I have had a huge response via social media. A large number of people have vowed to go to the gym tonight and tomorrow night and protest thus action of theirs,” added Desai.

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INITIAL REPORT: 13 August 2015, 9:30am – Desai was wearing a T-shirt that expressed the view that Palestinians are being oppressed by Israelis from Cape Town to Gaza.

An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “A number of people gathered around and started to complain about the T-shirt. In my opinion, it is his right to wear it as we are supposed to be living in a democratic society where freedom of expression is right.”

The eyewitness said the manager of the gym asked Desai to leave but he refused.

“The manager of the club resorted to calling the police to have the member [Desai] removed,” the witness said.

Watch a video of the moments before Desai was escorted out of the health club:

Here's what just happened at @virginactiveSA in Houghton (PART 1) pic.twitter.com/vQjivSFuNp

— Yusuf Omar 🎥📱 (@YusufOmarSA) August 12, 2015

Police arrive at Virgin Active in Houghton to escort @MuhammedDesai off property for wearing @BDSsouthafrica shirt pic.twitter.com/s4mfE2qpLh

— Yusuf Omar 🎥📱 (@YusufOmarSA) August 12, 2015

Virgin Active has since made a statement on the incident.

However their communications department has been contacted for a more in depth statement.

We hear you. We’re aware of the serious situation at Old Eds, are investigating and will you keep you updated.

— Virgin Active (@virginactiveSA) August 13, 2015