End of an Era: Beerhouse on Long Closes Down After 11 Years Due to Extortion Threats

The once vibrant and bustling Beerhouse on Long Street in Cape Town has announced its permanent closure, a decision rooted in fear and intimidation tactics by the criminal underworld. The closure happens as the establishment marks its 11th anniversary, a period during which the bar was not only a local favorite for its array of 99 craft beers but also became a beacon in the fight against organized crime for businesses in the Cape Town Central Business District (CBD).

The Beerhouse owner and former chairperson of the Long Street Association, Randolf Jorberg, has faced increasing threats following his stand against organized crime, which escalated after his appearances on the investigative journalism program Carte Blanche. He has been a vocal critic of the extortion rings plaguing local businesses, which resort to violent means including murder to enforce their protection rackets. Jorberg himself has had to adjust to a way of life characterized by looking over his shoulder due to death threats.

Jorberg's initial refusal to pay protection fees, which began with a menacing offer in 2013, ended tragically with the murder of one of Beerhouse's employees in 2015. A point underscored in the Carte Blanche exposé, Jorberg regretfully linked the staff member's death to his decision against yielding to extortionate demands. Despite eventually succumbing to the pressure by paying a monthly fee, the fear among the staff and the owner has persisted, overshadowing the establishment's operations and ultimately leading to its untimely closure.

The issue of racketeering in Cape Town has been a major concern for local authorities and business owners. The GI-TOC report cited notable figures linked to these criminal activities, which include Mark Lifman, Jerome 'Donkie' Booysen, and Nafiz Modack. Jorberg's narrative reveals the deep-seated nature of this criminal influence on the city's commerce, illustrating how businesses, even those not initially targeted, can become ensnared in the demands for protection money, with severe consequences for non-compliance.

The end of Beerhouse symbolizes a broader conflict faced by the CBD's business community – the struggle for autonomy against a backdrop of significant criminal control. The establishment's departure is a stark reminder that critical intervention is still needed to dismantle organized crime networks and to restore order and safety for the city's businesses and their patrons.