Newlands Community Patrol issue clarified

On 28 July Northcliff Melville Times published an article Community up in arms, written by Jeanette Chabalala.

Our publication has received a complaint from the present chairman of the Newlands Community Patrol, Gerda Lourens, stating that the information which refers to the Newlands Community Patrol in the above mentioned article is incorrect.

Lourens has issued the following statement:

The Newlands Community Patrol would like to Publically state that we completely distance ourselves from the newspaper article placed in the Northcliff Melville Times on the 28th July 2015, regarding Gladiators Internet Café by Jeanette Chabalala.

We have not permitted the press release and demand a full retraction from the Northcliff Melville times on all media related platforms.

This information published is false and in NO way reflect the views of the Newlands Community Patrol. The patrollers will and may NOT speak to the media….

Vanessa Kok (Chairman) as indicated in the article has resigned on the 26th of June 2015 already…and new Executive team was elected on Monday the 29th of June as follows and was at no stage informed about or included in this article or publication:

*Gerda Lourens (Chairman)

*Precilla Botha (Vice Chairman)

*Belinda Venter (Secretary / Treasurer)

The Newlands Community Patrol has never issued a statement with regards to Gladiators nor have we been contacted for comment. (This is a fact)

Vanessa Kok is and was not the Chairman of the Newlands Community Patrol at the time the article was issued. (This is a fact)

The issues raised in the article was in fact raised by concerned residents. (This is a fact)

These are all TRUE statements as on the day of publication and not fictional and still is a fact.

Accordingly, Northcliff Melville Times retracts the information regarding the Newlands Community Patrol and apologises for any inconvenience caused.