Asking for pmt in cash

Montecasino. Had the strangest experience there on 2 May. After ordering, enjoying our meal and wine the waitron sheepishly came to the table and asked us to pay cash because there was some problem with the card machine because of loadshedding (which was more than a week ago. We refused to draw cash to pay and said we would do and eft. After much discussion, asked to speak to a manager. He came out with a card machine and said sometimes it works, others not, maybe....It was all very suspicious as our pmt went through without any delay.