On Friday the Cape Times published an article online 'Biscuit Mill role' in Woodstock families' evictions. The content of the first sentence of paragraph three of the article and the remaining content thereof creates the suggestion that the owner of the property known as “the Biscuit Mill” is responsible for and/or involved in the eviction of the occupants of the properties situated in Bromwell Road, Woodstock.
The Cape Times regrets the error.
Dear Sir,
THE OLD BISCUIT MILL // STANDARD MILLS 1852 PTY LTD // CAPE TIMES
1. We act for Standard Mills 1852 Pty Ltd (hereinafter also referred to as “our client”).
2. An article appeared in this morning's edition of the Cape Times entitled 28 families face eviction in Woodstock by a journalist Quinton Mtyala. A copy of the article is annexed marked “A” (“the article”).
3. In the first sentence of paragraph three of the aforesaid article, it is alleged that the Woodstock Hub is the owner of the property commonly known as “the Old Biscuit Mill” or “the Biscuit Mill”. The remainder of the article inter alia describes the Woodstock Hub's involvement in eviction of certain occupants of various properties situated in Bromwell Road, Woodstock. The combination of the content of the first sentence of paragraph three of the article and the remaining content thereof creates the suggestion that the owner of the property known as “the Biscuit Mill” is responsible for and/or involved in the eviction of the occupants of the properties situated in Bromwell Road, Woodstock.
4. It is factually incorrect that the owner of the property known as “the Biscuit Mill” is Woodstock Hub. The owner of the property known as “the Biscuit Mill” is our client - Standard Mills 1852 Pty Ltd. Moreover, our client holds no interest in the Woodstock Hub and is not in any way involved in the eviction of the occupants of the properties situated in Bromwell Road, Woodstock, mentioned in the article.
5. Unfortunately, due to the incorrect fact contained in the article and the suggestion created thereby, our client's representatives, its tenants and security personnel have been subjected to harm in the form of harassment and threats by various individuals and members of the public. Moreover and as part of the aforesaid threats, our client has received information which creates a reasonable apprehension that its property, tenants and/or security personal could suffer harm during the course of anticipated protests against the eviction processes undertaken by the Woodstock Hub, which protests are scheduled to take place tomorrow, being 27 August 2016.
6. In the circumstances, we are instructed to demand that the Cape Times publish an article including an apology for and correction of the factual inaccuracy made with content that makes it absolutely clear that:
6.1 The owner of the property known as “the Biscuit Mill” is not The Woodstock Hub;
6.2 The owner of the property known as “the Biscuit Mill” is Standard Mills 1852 Pty Ltd;
6.3 Standard Mills 1852 Pty Ltd hold no interest in The Woodstock Hub;
6.4 The Biscuit Mill and/or its owners are in no way involved in the eviction of the occupants of the properties situated in Bromwell Road, Woodstock mentioned in the article.
Our client requires that the aforesaid apology and correction be published:
Our client's rights remain reserved. Yours sincerely
ANIKHA ABARDER
And
DIRK PIETERSEN MACROBERT INC