MY STORY | My dead-body prank got me banned from 6 Durban hotels

It was meant to be good innocent fun but a dead-body prank backfired on Lolo Zulu. The twenty something freelance book reviewer who grew up in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, ended up being banned from six Durban beachfront hotels.  

She shares her tale of regret with YOU in the hopes of deterring others thinking of pulling a similar stunt.   

“As soon as I was able to travel by myself, I started planning trips. I saw this prank on Twitter where someone used bed sheets and a telephone to resemble a body. I’d never pranked anyone but I thought I should try this. 

I first tried the prank six years ago at a Durban beachfront hotel. I usually book a double room because I like having space. I took the bedding from the bed and folded it up, then wrapped a telephone cord around the ‘neck’ to make it look as if a person had died.

It was fun and I thought it would be funny. The hotel didn’t react.

I did it a second time and I finally got a call. The woman at reception laughed about it and told me I’d scared them. It was a good laugh. 

The third time I tried it, at another hotel, things went sour. I took a picture after I did the prank, just to lay claim to it.

Lolo at Little Paris in Hartbeespoort. She has travelled to many parts of South Africa. (PHOTO: Supplied)

While I was at the airport, I got a lecture over the phone from the hotel and I was told I’d been banned from staying there. I apologised several times but at that stage I had no idea what the ban would entail. 

Three months later, I travelled to Durban again. When I tried to book in at the same hotel, my reservation was denied. This is a chain hotel so I tried to book at another hotel in the chain and again I was denied a room.

I went back to the main hotel and I was told I was banned because of the prank I’d pulled. I found another hotel that wasn’t linked to the first two. I tried to book in person but they pulled up my picture and that was it. 

I was really disappointed. Two years after my ban, I tried to book again. I thought they’d realise that I was more mature now. Again I was turned down. 

Lolo on a trip to Cape Town. (PHOTO: Supplied)

My mother is a firm believer in taking a holiday even if it’s only once a year. We started going on family trips when I was about four. Now that I’m an adult I frequently travel alone. 

I have been all over South Africa except Kimberley. For accommodation and activities I love Cape Town, specifically Camps Bay.

A snap she took while in Florida. (PHOTO: Supplied)

When I visit a place, I love to take part in every activity. My last international trip was to Florida in the US.

It’s been six years since my first foolish prank and I haven’t pulled that stunt since my ban. I recently shared my story on Twitter because I want to discourage others from this type of behaviour. You might end up in worse trouble than I did.”