The Western Cape High Court has ruled that Christopher Michael Logan must pay R1.25 million in damages for defamatory statements he made about Hank’s Olde Irish Pub on Bree Street.
The court awarded the damages to Latari House, the operating company of the pub, and its co-owners, brothers Viron and John Papadakis.
In December 2022, Logan accused John Papadakis of racism after claiming his friend, Thabiso Danca, was denied entry to the pub due to his race.
Logan shared a viral video on social media, which has since been removed, that sparked a wave of protests, including demonstrations organised by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), forcing the pub to temporarily close.
Despite an investigation revealing that no racist incident occurred, the damage to the pub’s reputation has been significant.
Logan’s allegations, amplified by media interviews in which he accused the pub of having an institutional racist policy, resulted in public outcry and financial losses for the business.
The National Prosecuting Authority later declined to pursue charges, but the viral backlash continued. In response, the Papadakis brothers took legal action to clear their names and seek compensation for the harm caused to their business.
As per News24, the court found that the defamatory video caused reputational harm, emotional distress and financial losses, including lost partnerships and temporary business closures.
The judgement emphasised the lasting impact on the Papadakis brothers’ personal and professional lives. Logan’s request for postponement was denied, and a default judgement was issued.
Logan was ordered to pay R500 000 in special damages to the pub for loss of income, R250 000 in general damages to the business, and R250 000 to each of the Papadakis brothers. The amounts will be paid with interest.
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Picture: Murray Swart
