Bad holiday for Brazilian honeymooners

(Article at www.iol.co.za by Caryn Dolley)

Instead of spending a few days relaxing in Cape Town with his wife on their honeymoon, a Brazilian tourist was horrified to discover that thousands of rand had been stolen from his suitcase in a hotel room.

The Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel and police are now investigating the theft and the Federated Hospitality Association of SA (Fedhasa) is urging hotel employees and visitors to be more vigilant.

Rodolfo Nicastro of Brazil said on Sunday he and his bride arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday and the newlyweds booked in at the Southern Sun hotel.

“On Friday, we were going out. At the car downstairs, my wife felt a bit cold and went back to our room to get a sweater.

“She said a lady was cleaning the room. When we came back (that afternoon) we found our things weren’t in the same place we last saw them. My money was missing.”

Nicastro said about R8 770 in foreign currency had been stolen from his suitcase.

He reported the matter at the Cape Town police station. Spokesperson Randall Stoffels confirmed that a theft was being investigated.

Nicastro also contacted the manager of the hotel, who offered him a free dinner and said the incident would be investigated. Nicastro felt more should have been done.

He and his wife have now left the country.

Priya Naidoo, general manager of communications for Southern Sun hotels, said the matter was being investigated.

Nigel Pace, chairperson of Fedhasa Cape’s hotels segment, said hoteliers had stepped up their security measures.

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