Another twist in Irish pub's racism row
Image: Supplied
THE Western Cape High Court has rescinded the R1.25 million defamation judgment Hanks Olde Irish Pub won against Christopher Logan relating to his comments about an alleged racist incident at the venue in December 2022.
The rescission application was lodged in December 2024, one month after the ruling was issued.
With his notice of intention to defend due Thursday, he is gearing up to contest the case in court.
'The applicant (Logan) must file his notice of intention to defend the main action by Thursday, 14 August 2025. The third defendant (John Papadakis, the owner) in the action to file a plea by 11 September 2025. The Plaintiffs to file replications if any by 02 October 2025. The matter to proceed by means of case management before Judge Erasmus by a date provided by his office,' the court order read.
Last year, the court ordered Logan to pay R1.25 million in damages to the owners after he publicly accused the establishment of racism, an allegation they denied.
In December 2022, Logan's friend Thabiso Danco alleged that he was denied entry to Hank's Olde Irish Pub because he was not accompanied by a white person. Logan later claimed that the bouncer justified the refusal with a discriminatory remark and stated he was acting on instructions from the owners. The following day, they went back to the venue where a confrontation ensued over the issue, during which Logan was allegedly assaulted by the owners and staff.
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A video of the confrontation went viral.
The owners pursued legal action arguing that the allegations were not true and their reputation was severely harmed by Logan's public accusations of racism.
The court awarded damages to the owners for loss of income and defamation. As a result, Logan was ordered to pay R500,000 to owners' business for loss of income, R250,000 in general damages, and R250,000 to each owner personally, plus interest.
A month later he filed an application for rescission.
Logan on Tuesday said the original order was a default judgment, granted without him having had the opportunity to present his defence or be heard in court.
'I was never given a fair hearing or the chance to respond to the allegations."
'While I stand by my account of that day and my condemnation of the racist conduct witnessed, I was denied the chance to defend myself in the defamation action that followed. Today's decision restores the principle that such matters must be decided in open court, with all parties having the opportunity to be heard. I turn to the owners of Hanks now to adopt a new approach to this matter and focus on how Thabiso was treated at their establishment,' he said.
He said the judgment was a 'huge relief personally' as this matter had taken a massive toll on his personal life and that his legal team advocate Kholosa Qaba and attorney Ashley Vuyo Leeuw, who represented him pro bono.
Lawyers for Hanks and Marèsa Nel said they had reached an agreement with Logan's legal team regarding the rescission of the default judgment, but emphasised that this did not alter their stance, as they still intend to oppose the case.
'(On Monday), Hanks, through its legal representatives Advocate Marius Botha and Marèsa Nel, reached an agreement with Logan's legal representatives that the Court may be informed of the parties' consent to the rescission of the Default Judgment granted against Logan in November 2024.
'Hanks' legal team voluntarily agreed to the rescission due to an error in the Default Judgment specifically, the incorrect use of the word 'Bar.' Importantly, this correction does not alter Hanks' case against Logan in any way. The Honourable Court accordingly granted the rescission and issued directions regarding the deadlines for Logan to file his Notice of Intention to Defend in the main action, as well as his plea.
'Should Logan fail to defend the matter once again, Hanks will promptly reapply for Default Judgment. However, if Logan now chooses to defend the case, Hanks welcomes the opportunity to present (its) full evidence to the Honourable Court,' said Nel.
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