Cape Town – The Western Cape High Court has rescinded a R1.25 million judgment previously granted against Christopher Logan in favour of Hanks Olde Irish Pub.
That earlier judgment had ordered Logan to pay damages to the tune of R1.25 million for alleged defamation relating to a racist incident at the venue in December 2022.
Commenting on the ruling, Logan said: “The original order was a default judgment, granted without me having had the opportunity to present my defence or be heard in court.
“I was never given a fair hearing or the chance to respond to the allegations.
“Today, the court recognised this injustice and set aside the default judgment in its entirety.”
Logan said the ruling confirms that the process followed in granting that order was incorrect and that every person is entitled to their constitutional right to a fair hearing before such serious findings are made.
“I wish to sincerely thank my legal team, Advocate Kholosa Qaba and Attorney Ashley Vuyo Leeuw, who represented me pro bono,” said Logan.
“Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to justice made today’s outcome possible.”
Narrating how the matter landed in court, Logan said on 1 December 2022, his friend Thabiso Danca was stopped at the entrance to Hanks Olde Irish Pub.
Logan said his friend was told “he could not enter unless accompanied by a white person”.
The bouncer justified this by claiming that black people “steal and cause trouble” and said he was acting on the owners’ instructions.
“The following day, I accompanied Thabiso and others to the venue to raise the issue directly with the owners,” recalled Logan.
“Instead of an apology or accountability, we were met with hostility, aggression, and physical assault.”
A video of part of the confrontation, recorded by bystanders, went viral and sparked national outrage over the incident.
“While I stand by my account of that day and my condemnation of the racist conduct witnessed,” said Logan.
“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.”
Logan said Hanks has repeatedly misled the public and courts by creating an intentionally false narrative, which has undermined public trust and the courts.
“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,” Logan said.
“The judgment today comes as a huge relief personally as this matter has taken a massive toll on my personal life and wellbeing as well as affected my loved ones.
“The social and emotional costs have been large and affected my sense of self.
“This is an important step forward, not just for me, but for the principle of fairness in our justice system.
“I will continue to speak out and to defend the truth of what happened at Hank’s Olde Irish Pub.
“The motivation throughout this matter has stayed the same, I love my friend, Thabiso, and hate racism.”
Meanwhile, the high court has informed the respondents Latari House, Viron Papadakis, John Papdakis, and Freddy Kalenga that the matter will proceed by means of case management before Judge Erasmus by a date provided by his office.
The court ordered the third defendant in the Action to file a plea by 11 September 2025, and the plaintiffs to file Replications, if any, by 2 October 2025.
The court said the costs were to stand over for later determination.
