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THE IMPACT & DAMAGE
The Criminal Campaign And its Consequences
The campaign by the landlords to retake the properties after their transformation was a calculated effort to bypass the legal system entirely. They knew that pursuing legal routes, no matter how many lies they told, how extensive the perjury, or how fabricated the evidence, would ultimately fail under the scrutiny of the courts.
The foundational agreements for the leases were unequivocal. I paid my rent in full and on time, and the landlords had provided explicit knowledge and consent to both the subletting model and the refurbishment projects. These agreements were not incidental—they were the core terms of our arrangement. In fulfilling my side of the agreement, I invested millions of rand into transforming these properties, significantly increasing both their rental and capital values.
However, the landlords sought to renege on their agreements the moment the transformations were complete. Their actions were not driven by any breach on my part but by a desire to reap the financial benefits of my efforts while depriving me of the five-year tenure guaranteed to recover my investment. They aimed to exploit me as a free source of funding and expertise, forcing me to bear the costs and labour of transforming their properties while denying me the benefit of the lease terms.
Their decision to hire Wouter de Swardt was not an isolated event; it was a direct acknowledgment that they could not succeed through legitimate legal means. The fairness and impartiality of the courts would inevitably have exposed their lies and illegitimate claims. De
Swardt’s role went far beyond that of a private investigator. He was appointed specifically for his willingness to act unlawfully and his ability to exploit his relationships within SAPS and Media24. These connections enabled him to manipulate state resources and media narratives, creating the illusion of legitimacy around their campaign.
The landlords’ justifications for their actions rested on demonstrably false narratives. They perpetuated the myth that South African courts unfairly favor tenants over landlords. This claim is refuted by the facts: while tenants are afforded limited protections under the Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act (PIE), these provisions are not designed to shield tenants who breach their leases. Furthermore, I had no children, no special circumstances, and no lease violations that could have delayed or prevented a legal eviction.
The landlords’ inability to succeed in court was rooted in the fundamental truth that I had upheld every aspect of our agreements:
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Rent was paid in full and on time, often quarterly in advance.
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The subletting model and refurbishment projects were explicitly agreed upon and formed the foundation of our lease
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I made substantial financial and personal investments to transform the properties, increasing their rental and capital values far beyond their original potential.
Their actions were not motivated by legal grievances but by greed. The success of the refurbishments had created enormous financial opportunities for the landlords, which they sought to exploit by removing me. They used De Swardt to carry out a systematic campaign, leveraging his relationships within SAPS to weaponize the criminal justice system against me and his connections to Media24 to manipulate public perception.
BEFORE
I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED 12 VERY LARGE TRUCK LOADS OF VALUABLE POSSESSIONS
AFTER
INSTEAD, I RECEIVED JUST TWELVE BOXES. CONTAINING JUNK & MOULDY CLOTHES
The Campaign’s Key Ingredients: How the Impossible Was Made Possible
The landlords’ campaign to retake the properties I had transformed relied on three interconnected and meticulously orchestrated elements. These factors, rooted in intentional and calculated actions, worked together to bypass legal scrutiny, exploit systemic corruption, and ensure the landlords achieved their objectives. Each of these ingredients not only played a critical role in the execution of the campaign but was also specifically chosen for its effectiveness and ability to shield the true perpetrators.
1. Exploitation of SAPS Relationships
The landlords’ appointment of Wouter de Swardt was pivotal to their campaign. De Swardt’s corrupt relationships with officers at Bellville Commercial Crimes and Hout Bay SAPS provided a direct channel to co-opt state resources and manipulate the criminal justice system. Officers such as Sergeants Stevens and Duna were instrumental in executing unlawful arrests, fabricating charges, and staging raids under the guise of legality.
This exploitation of SAPS resources served multiple purposes. By ensuring my illegal detention, the landlords effectively incapacitated me, stripping me of my ability to challenge their actions in court or protect my properties. Simultaneously, the arrests created the illusion of wrongdoing, which was leveraged to justify their claims and further manipulate public perception.
The success of this approach was rooted in the systemic vulnerabilities within SAPS, where corrupt relationships allowed private agendas to override legal safeguards. This was no accident but a deliberate tactic orchestrated by the landlords to weaponize the justice system against me. The actions of SAPS officers were not isolated; they were part of a broader plan, controlled and directed by the landlords to achieve their goals.
2. Media Manipulation
De Swardt’s extensive connections within Media24 were another cornerstone of the campaign. Through his influence, the landlords orchestrated the publication of defamatory articles that painted me as a rogue tenant and a criminal. These articles, crafted with precision and malice, served to legitimize the landlords’ actions and sway public opinion against me.
The media narrative was critical in achieving two objectives. First, it provided a veneer of credibility to the landlords’ fabricated claims, portraying them as victims of a malicious tenant while diverting attention from their own unlawful actions. Second, it created judicial pressure, ensuring that courts and law enforcement would view me with bias and skepticism.
The effectiveness of this media strategy lay in its ability to amplify the fabricated charges and arrests orchestrated through SAPS. Each defamatory article reinforced the false narrative, creating a feedback loop that made it increasingly difficult to defend myself. The landlords understood that public perception was as crucial as legal evidence, and they exploited Media24’s reach to transform lies into “facts” that carried weight in both public and judicial arenas.
3. Collusion Between the Landlords and De Swardt
At the heart of this campaign was the direct and intentional collusion between the landlords and Wouter de Swardt. This collaboration went far beyond a typical investigator-client relationship. De Swardt was not merely hired to gather information; he was tasked with executing a systematic campaign of unlawful actions designed to ensure the landlords’ success.
The landlords provided De Swardt with the resources and directives needed to carry out his work, while benefiting directly from his ability to coordinate with SAPS and manipulate the media. Each unlawful arrest, defamatory article, and fabricated charge furthered their ultimate objective: retaking the properties while avoiding accountability.
This collusion was characterized by its deliberate and strategic nature. The landlords controlled every aspect of the campaign, from timing arrests to coincide with court applications to leveraging media narratives to create public and judicial bias. By aligning their interests with De Swardt’s willingness to act unlawfully, they ensured the campaign operated with precision and efficiency.
The Interconnection and Intentionality
What made this campaign so devastating was the seamless integration of these three elements. The landlords’ actions were not disjointed or reactive; they were part of a meticulously planned strategy where each factor reinforced the others. The exploitation of SAPS relationships facilitated unlawful arrests, which in turn fueled defamatory media coverage. The media narrative then legitimized the landlords’ actions, creating the public and judicial bias needed to sustain their campaign. Meanwhile, the landlords’ direct collaboration with De Swardt ensured that every action aligned with their broader objectives.
This interconnection underscores the intentionality behind the campaign. None of these actions were incidental or opportunistic. From the outset, the landlords conceived, managed, and executed a plan designed to bypass legal avenues, exploit systemic corruption, and destroy my ability to defend myself. Their success was not the result of isolated failures in the system but of deliberate and calculated exploitation of those failures.
The Devastating Consequences
The combined impact of these elements was catastrophic. The illegal arrests, fabricated charges, and defamatory media coverage systematically dismantled my personal, professional, and financial life. I was stripped of my properties, reputation, and income, while the landlords reaped the benefits of my work and investments.
This campaign exemplifies how corruption, media manipulation, and intentional collusion can be weaponized to achieve what should have been impossible. By orchestrating this multifaceted strategy, the landlords not only succeeded in their immediate objectives but also set a dangerous precedent, demonstrating how the justice system and media can be exploited for private gain.
The Cycle of Arrests and Articles
The process was cyclical and self-reinforcing:
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First Arrest: The first unlawful arrest motivated the first wave of defamatory articles.
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First Articles: These articles were then used to justify the second unlawful arrest.
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Second Arrest: The second arrest provided further material for Media24’s second round of articles.
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Court Applications: These arrests and articles were ultimately weaponized in court by Keith Broad, who prepared and submitted an appeal and application the morning after my December arrest. The application was based almost entirely on fabrications and misrepresentations but was bolstered by the media narrative.
The Combined Power of Corruption and Influence
The collaboration between corrupt SAPS officers, led by Stevens and Duna, and the reach and influence of Media24 created a powerful and destructive force. What should have been impossible—illegally removing me from the properties, incarcerating me, and dismantling my life—was made entirely possible through their combined efforts. The devastating effects of this campaign cannot be overstated.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
Media24’s Reporting And Its Devastating Impact On My Life:
To understand the extent of the damage, it’s essential to grasp the rationale behind it. After I had transformed the property, the landlords, particularly Keith Broad, had tried and failed to take back the properties on nearly all occasions in the first six months of 2022. Contrary to the fabricated narratives, I had paid all rents, bills, and housekeeper wages (totalling over R6,000,000) and breached no lease terms. I had also invested an extraordinary amount of time, work, and money into those transformations.
Every attempt they made through civil courts failed, and every illegal eviction was reversed—not on the technicalities they allege, but quite simply because I was the sole legitimate tenant, as my record just outlined, and because there were no legal or moral grounds on which to take the property from me before the end of the five-year tenure. Whenever they fabricated claims in court, they were exposed by the evidence I produced. For them to succeed, they needed two things: a) manufactured “evidence” they could present in court, and b) assurance that I would not be present or able to expose it.
They achieved this through Media24’s articles, crafted to seem unconnected to the landlords or Keith Broad, portraying me as the worst kind of rogue tenant—a portrayal that would guarantee judicial sympathy for any eviction order. These articles also helped remove me as an obstacle by swaying the officer responsible for approving an arrest, compensating for the fact that the docket itself held no substance to justify one. In South Africa, investigating officers hold significant power; unlike in the UK, they can arrest suspects and investigate afterward, with minimal evidentiary burden at arrest.
Media24’s articles substituted for this deficiency, persuading Serg Stevens' superiors that I was a multi-million-rand scammer, defrauding the thousands of guests such figures would represent, providing the false confidence that evidence would flow in after the arrest. Once arrested, the process is left to the investigating officer, and with the collaboration of WdS and accommodating officers like Serg Duna and Stevens, anything became possible.
The first arrest prompted the first round of articles; that round motivated the second arrest, which in turn motivated a second wave of articles. All of which ultimately fed into Keith Broad’s December application, where the articles played a very central and significant role, using them as evidence to substantiate his allegations and further citing my detention in Pollsmoor on fraud charges as confirmation. Presenting a highly selective application, as noticeable by the omissions as the fabrications.
Critically, he omitted anything and everything that didn’t suit; that his wife had initiated the August arrest and malicious prosecution; that the visit post-bail to the storage unit had revealed the items had been there all along; the attorney communications that proved they knew that; that he had orchestrated the December arrest; that his protection order was obtained through clear-cut perjury; the genuine protection order I’d obtained against him; the arrest warrant that followed after his many breaches; the multiple illegal evictions he and WdS had executed; the spoliation judgment; the High Court interdict; the punitive costs. He claimed I had rent arrears spanning the previous months, omitting to mention that was the period post the July illegal evictions and illegal arrest, during which time his fraudulently obtained protection order prohibited me from going within 500 meters of what he had told the judge was his family home. Failing entirely to mention the illegal and secret operation by WdS at the very property he was busy trying to persuade a judge to hand him back, where WdS and SAPS officers staged a raid and arrest purely to extract the occupants and take back keys and control.
Self-evidently, had I been present or even able to brief a rebuttal, all of the above and much more would have been put before the judge. But Keith had ensured I was arrested and detained, and the seizure of my equipment and data meant that even if Pollsmoor didn’t make mounting a credible complex litigation possible, I was incapable of briefing an attorney regardless.
These acts and omissions are very relevant when explaining the compounded impact and ongoing harm of Media24’s reporting. Because WdS brought the idea and construct of the articles to Media24 for a reason; that reason was to inflict maximum harm on me and provide his client Keith Broad with maximum strategic advantage. As such, while defamation by definition involves harm, it is extremely rare that the harm itself is ever the intention. Often it is the result of negligent journalism, and even if there is intent to defame or a lack of care if publishing will defame, harm is rarely the driver or principal driver.
When WdS brought the idea and construct to Media24, that was the explicit purpose. What form the fabrications, construct, and defamation took was secondary to that overriding goal. Because of the total failure of journalistic norms and ethics, WdS and his clients got exactly what they wanted and needed. The complete failure at even attempts at balance, of getting input or comment from me, of the selective reporting, and most importantly of reprinting the ever-wilder allegations of WdS without filter or verification allowed WdS to essentially draft his own articles, and that drafting was done with the intention of causing me the maximum harm possible. It is not therefore a surprise that publishing these fabrications verbatim achieved exactly what was intended.
The limitation on the contents of the complaint means there is not the space for an impact statement that would do real justice to the damage these articles have caused, and I am happy to provide one; in the absence of which, below is a quick run-through of some of the damage done by the articles.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
Perspective On The Damage:
While anyone defamed suffers damage, it’s difficult to fully convey just how deeply damaging these articles were and continue to be. Several factors contributed to this impact:
(1) Extreme Violations of the Press Code: Media24’s reporting exhibited an absolute lack of balance. The sole source of information came from my adversaries; there was no attempt to contact me, and the tone and content were extreme, selective, and presented as fact rather than the fabrications of individuals engaged in litigation against me.
(2) Salacious and False Additions to the Narrative: Fabrications, such as claims about tracking me down or the invented figure of “34 million rand,” added false weight to the allegations.
(3) Motivated for a Purpose and Goal: These articles were deliberately wielded as weapons with specific aims and outcomes.
(4) Distorted the Truth about My Business: Fabricated allegations gained credibility because the villa operation was my core business. With slight distortions, the legitimate work I performed was twisted into something criminal. What I built wasn’t simply lost; it was stolen. Worse, the very individuals who motivated these articles were the ones who benefited.
They took everything I created, while Media24’s reporting painted me as the villain and them as the victims, fundamentally altering the dynamic in their favour and making the impossible possible. The articles didn’t merely obscure their illegal and immoral actions—they provided immunity from consequences. The power of a fabricated narrative that casts someone as a skilled, deceitful fraudster is profound; even the most convincing arguments and evidence fall on deaf ears due to inevitable scepticisms and suspicion.
Contrasting The Position Before And After The Articles:
In July 2022, I held secure, legitimate, five-year leases on five properties encompassing six highly rentable residences. I had devoted the past eighteen months to transforming these rundown, neglected properties, investing every resource I had, and working eighteen-hour days to achieve something remarkable.
The resulting properties were some of the most stunning in Cape Town. Our reputation drew high-profile clients, with model agencies booking photo shoots, videographers seeking to film, and guests paying as much as R80,000 a night over New Year’s 2021/2022. The demand from high-end agents was constant, and the villas were enormously popular, reflecting the quality of my work. We achieved Superhost status on Airbnb within the first quarter and maintained it consistently through 2021 and 2022. As any Superhost will tell you, doing that on one small property is challenging enough; achieving that on six large residences that could accommodate several thousand guests a year is almost unheard of. Booking.com awarded us Preferred Partner Plus status—an account I held from inception all the way through to 2023 after the arrest.
With hundreds of perfect reviews (5/5 on Airbnb, 10/10 on Booking.com), we built a stellar reputation. Five managers handled bookings and guest experiences, while a dedicated team of housekeepers ensured the properties were flawless and guests were well-serviced.
Our rental book value was R25 million per annum, with a cost base of just R5 million, yielding R20 million in annual profit. I had an extensive fine jewellery and art collection, homes in Cape Town and London.
These were genuine passion projects, and the sense of pride I had in what we created was immense. It was an achievement that deserved recognition, not slander. Running a scam would have been commercial suicide and would have resulted in the guaranteed implosion of all I had created.
Fast forward to March 2023, post-publication, and I had lost everything. By no coincidence, all that I lost was now in the landlords' possession—the very same landlords who had employed WdS. They repossessed the properties without legal grounds, keeping every improvement, I had made.
Beyond this, they stole every item within the properties: my possessions, furniture, accessories, artwork, sculptures, and even books and clothes. They effectively took the R20 million profit I should have earned every year for the life of the leases—a sum meant to repay my investment.
The reality is that I funded and transformed these properties, relying on that five-year tenure, only for the landlords to deny me the entire tenure and keep everything. In evicting me, they also seized the capital value appreciation I had created, instantly benefiting from the properties’ increased worth without waiting five years. This was evident as Keith listed the property for sale within days of my arrest, setting the price at R31 million—a staggering R13 million increase from its value a year prior.
They achieved this by weaponizing both the media and SAPS, executing illegal evictions disguised as arrests, and bypassing every tenant protection under the same Prevention of Illegal Eviction Act (PIE) that the publication had quoted when trying to imply I was the tenant from hell. SAPS seized and refused to return my equipment.
When I left Pollsmoor in March 2023, I literally had nothing but the clothes on my back—the same ones I had been arrested in three months earlier. My bail address was a small studio at the back of the attorney’s rented property. When I finally received a response from the owner of Fisherman’s Bend regarding my possessions, he sent me ten boxes of mouldy clothes—most of which weren’t even mine. None of the ten truckloads of possessions they simply kept.
Perhaps the position is best conveyed through the many photo albums included in the index of documents, as an example: In July 2022: [Collection highlights] speak for themselves. By March 2023: [My returned possessions] say as much about the total misappropriation of all I had created. While I am no journalist, surely the story conveyed in these pages is the real story. Yet, as it stands, not a single fraction of these truths has ever appeared in a Media24 article. While I am no journalists.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Impact & Damage
Impact on My Immigration Status
Media24’s articles have profoundly jeopardized my ability to normalize my visa and immigration status. Despite the optimism of my immigration attorneys regarding the merits of my application, they have cautioned that these articles represent a significant and potentially insurmountable obstacle.
My case requires a discretionary decision from the Director General of Home Affairs via a Letter of Good Cause, a process that involves balancing evidence with political and reputational considerations. In such cases, the optics of an application are as important as its merits. Despite substantial evidence supporting my application, the existence of these defamatory articles could—and almost certainly would—result in rejection. Officials reviewing such matters are unlikely to invest time in parsing the nuances of a Press Council complaint or its context; instead, they are likely to form judgments based on the allegations presented in the articles.
Until these articles are retracted and replaced by the truth, the prospects of normalizing my immigration status are virtually nonexistent. This is not an issue I can revisit repeatedly; a single rejection would likely foreclose any future opportunities, rendering the situation effectively irreversible and placing severe limitations on my ability to resolve the injustices I have suffered or to rebuild my life.
Impact on My Mother
The impact on my mother has been equally devastating. In her seventies and diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, her condition has been exacerbated by the stress and trauma caused by my arrests and Media24’s defamatory narrative. While already distressed by my legal battles and the malicious campaign against me, she has faced the additional emotional toll of reconciling her own understanding of me with the distorted portrayal perpetuated by the articles.
This strain is compounded by the fact that we have not been able to see each other since 2020. COVID-19 restrictions initially kept us apart, but the immigration issues exacerbated by these events have made it impossible for me to visit her. The combination of her illness, our prolonged separation, and the public vilification I have endured has caused her immense emotional pain. She carries the burden of worrying about my well-being while grappling with the fear that she may not live to see my name cleared.
Restoring my reputation and normalizing my immigration status are critical not just for my future but also for hers. However, the hurdles created by WdS, Sergeant Stevens, and Sergeant Duna—exacerbated by Media24’s reporting—make this goal extraordinarily challenging. Without the retraction or correction of these articles, the credibility required to obtain normalization is unlikely to be achieved, leaving her to bear the weight of these injustices in her final years.
The intersection of my immigration struggles and my mother’s declining health highlights the compounded personal and familial harm caused by the defamation and systemic corruption that have derailed my life. It serves as a stark reminder of how these actions extend far beyond me, deeply affecting those closest to me.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Impact & Damage
Reputation
Xxx
Xxxx
Xx
Loss of My Home, Life’s Work, Accumulated Assets, Income, and Business.
My life’s work, financial security, and personal savings were systematically stolen. Media24’s articles played a direct and undeniable role in enabling, justifying, and concealing this theft. What I endured was not merely a financial loss but the forced expulsion from and hostile takeover of my own enterprise—a culmination of everything I had built.
Loss of My Home, Business, and Income
SAPS and Media24’s actions facilitated the landlords' unlawful seizure of my properties and income. The intertwined nature of my home and business—a geographically immovable operation—should have been an obvious indicator to any logical observer that the narrative they constructed was fundamentally flawed. A scam relies on mobility and concealment; my enterprise was neither. The properties were my home, my business, and my livelihood. By taking them, they deprived me not only of my income and career but also of my purpose and passion.
I have spent 36 years—my entire adult life—in the property industry. It is what I know, what I love, and, arguably, all I know. Losing my business wasn’t just a financial devastation; it stripped away the culmination of decades of hard work, expertise, and creativity. There is no doubt that without the Media24 articles, none of this would have been possible.
My Financial Losses
The financial impact of this campaign, amplified and legitimized by Media24’s reporting, has been catastrophic. Direct losses already exceed R50 million, with projected losses over the next five years surpassing R150 million. These figures include:
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Lost income from the properties I transformed and operated.
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The lost future profitability of the business, which I had built to generate R20 million annually after costs.
In addition, I lost irreplaceable personal possessions totaling nearly R20 million, including:
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Artwork and unique collections.
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Jewelry, bespoke furniture, and other valuables.
I am now entirely reliant on my mother to fund ongoing legal fees and remain deeply indebted in that regard.
The Inability to Rebuild, Secure a Job, or a Home
The false narrative perpetuated by Media24 has rendered my life and career unrecognizable. Until these articles are retracted and corrected, I remain unable to rebuild my life.
Rebuilding My Career
With the defamatory articles still publicly accessible, returning to the property industry or entering any trust-based profession is impossible. My reputation—essential in my field—has been destroyed. Even if I attempted to start anew in a different sector, the articles would inevitably surface, dismantling any progress I made.
Employment Challenges
Finding and keeping a job is equally unattainable. Any potential employer or client encountering Media24’s portrayal of me would immediately doubt my integrity and credibility. This public defamation is a perpetual obstacle, ensuring that even small opportunities remain out of reach.
Renting a Home
I cannot even rent a home. Portrayed as the epitome of a rogue tenant, no landlord or rental agency would consider my application. The irony is staggering—while I was the victim of multiple illegal evictions, Media24’s narrative has painted me as their cause.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Impact & Damage
Loss of My Liberty
Media24’s defamatory articles played a direct role in my three-month detention in Pollsmoor Prison. These articles were strategically weaponized by Wouter de Swardt (WdS) and SAPS officers—particularly Sergeant Stevens—to lend undue credibility to a docket that was otherwise empty of substance, investigation, or complaints in the year leading up to my arrest.
The first arrest was falsely reported as being related to fraud—alleging scams against property owners and guests—when in reality, it was completely unrelated. Media24’s coverage gave unwarranted legitimacy to these baseless claims, persuading senior officials to authorize my arrest on nothing more than the perceived "credibility" of these articles. The fabricated narrative painted me as a severe criminal threat, justifying extreme measures in my December arrest, including the deployment of a special task force. This further prejudiced public and official opinion, presenting me as dangerous and undeserving of due process.
Without Media24’s articles, I firmly believe the December arrest would never have occurred. Furthermore, had the charges not been thrown out early, these articles would have significantly influenced judicial perception in any contested bail hearing, making it almost impossible for me to secure my release.
Pollsmoor Prison
The deprivation of liberty is harrowing under any circumstances, but the conditions in Pollsmoor Prison elevate it to an unimaginable ordeal. For nearly a third of that devastating year, I was confined in what can only be described as inhumane conditions:
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Overcrowding: My cell housed 45 men, though it was designed for no more than a dozen.
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Deprivation: We were locked up 24/7, with just half an hour of freedom per week. Meals consisted of maize for breakfast and lunch, followed by dry bread for dinner.
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Infestations: The cells, beds, and clothing were infested with lice and cockroaches.
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Abuse: Special task forces conducted frequent raids, using cattle prods and throwing water to increase the voltage during assaults.
The environment was dominated by members of violent gangs—the 26s, 27s, and 28s—many of whom were imprisoned for murder and rape. As the only white man on the entire wing, I became a constant target for assault and extortion.
However, the most tormenting aspect wasn’t physical but psychological. Knowing that those responsible for my incarceration—the very individuals tasked with upholding justice—were fully aware of my innocence but acted to keep me imprisoned for as long as possible was a mental torture beyond description. The goal was not a fair trial but to delay, punish, and incapacitate me, all while shielding the landlords’ illegal actions.
Four Lost Years
The ordeal catalyzed by Media24’s defamatory coverage has robbed me of four critical years of my life, with no end in sight.
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Building the Properties (2020–2022): I spent every waking hour transforming neglected properties into thriving successes.
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Defending Against the Campaign (2022–2023): Once the landlords and WdS began their systematic efforts to strip me of my work, identity, and credibility, I had no choice but to dedicate myself entirely to countering their actions.
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Fighting for Justice (2023–Present): Since my release from Pollsmoor, my life has revolved around gathering evidence, building my case, and seeking justice.
Even under optimistic projections, I face another one to two years of litigation, equating to five or six years lost in total. The South African legal system’s limited compensation scales mean that even if I prevail, I will recover only a fraction of what I have lost—financially, professionally, and emotionally. These years were not just stolen; they were filled with relentless trauma, depriving me of peace, progress, and the ability to enjoy the life I had worked so hard to build.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Impact & Damage
My Personal Life
Media24’s articles have left an indelible stain on my personal relationships. The stigma of these articles has followed me into every corner of my life, eroding old relationships and destroying the potential for new ones.
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New Relationships: Every attempt at forming a new connection is doomed once someone conducts a simple search. Whether in personal or professional contexts, the articles present a toxic, misleading portrayal that invariably results in abrupt endings. For instance, my attempts to hire administrative help for my case often ended in either silence or hostility once the articles were discovered.
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Dating: Romantic relationships are almost impossible. The moment a potential partner encounters the articles, the cycle of rejection begins again.
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Friends and Family: Even among those who knew me well, the sheer volume and perceived authority of Media24’s coverage introduced doubt. Relationships that once provided solace have been strained or severed, leaving damage that may never heal.
My Health
The stress and devastation caused by this campaign have severely impacted my health. Ironically, one of my motivations for returning to Cape Town was to embrace a healthier lifestyle after nearly experiencing kidney failure on three occasions. In 2021, I underwent major surgery to address this condition, which left me with a permanent catheter. However, the ongoing monitoring, blood tests, and potential additional surgeries required to maintain my health are now beyond my financial reach.
Private medical care is no longer an option for me, and the treatment I need is only accessible in the UK—travel that is currently impossible due to my immigration and financial constraints. It has been two years since my last full check-up.
Further complicating matters is my family medical history. My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer at my current age, and regular monitoring for the same condition is crucial. Without financial stability or the ability to travel, I cannot access the necessary care.
My Dogs
Even basic necessities, such as veterinary care for my dogs, are beyond my reach should they fall ill. Should my visa application fail, transporting them to the UK would cost approximately R70,000 each, a sum I cannot afford. My dogs, who have been a source of comfort during this turmoil, are now yet another uncertainty in an increasingly precarious life.
My Dignity
Being falsely portrayed as a dangerous, calculated criminal robbed me of my dignity in the most public and humiliating way possible. WdS and Serg Stevens orchestrated my exit from the arrest scene, parading me to a deliberately positioned vehicle, ensuring the media had the perfect opportunity to capture my humiliation. This calculated display treated me not as a person but as a spectacle for public consumption.
Relationships with Family and Friends
The ripple effects of Media24’s articles extended deeply into my closest relationships. The defamatory portrayal created an environment of doubt and suspicion, even among family and friends who had stood by me for years. The relentless volume and authority of Media24’s narrative made it nearly impossible for anyone to remain unaffected, leaving relationships damaged and, in many cases, irreparable. The loss of these connections has been one of the most painful and isolating consequences of this ordeal.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Impact & Damage
Approaches to Attorneys
Media24’s defamatory portrayal has severely impeded my ability to secure legal representation. Attorneys often approach my case with preconceived biases, shaped by the articles that paint me as a fraudster. This has created a significant barrier to finding lawyers who are willing to evaluate the evidence impartially. Many outright refuse to consider my case, isolating me further from the legal avenues necessary to defend myself or seek justice. Even those who do engage with the case are often hesitant to challenge the entrenched narrative, undermining my ability to receive fair representation.
Approaches to Anti-Corruption Organizations
The same narrative perpetuated by Media24 also obstructs my attempts to engage with organizations tasked with exposing and addressing corruption. The portrayal of me as a deceitful con artist dissuades these bodies from taking my claims seriously, undermining efforts to highlight the systemic misconduct I have endured. Despite presenting credible evidence, initial responses from these organizations reveal the significant hurdle the articles have created in obtaining institutional support. However, in cases where investigations have been instigated, the evidence has validated my claims, leading to the rare event of criminal charges against those involved. This reinforces the truth of my account and the falsehoods in Media24’s reporting.
My Attempts to Expose the Truth
Despite considerable efforts to share evidence and correct the narrative, Media24 has repeatedly ignored or dismissed my attempts. Their refusal to acknowledge credible evidence has allowed their defamatory portrayal to dominate, stifling my ability to restore my reputation. While independent journalists have reviewed my evidence, deemed it credible, and expressed interest in reporting on my case, they often cite the entrenched narrative and Media24’s dominance in the media sector as barriers to doing so.
One journalist recommended filing a complaint with the Press Council Ombudsman, explaining that its resolution could pave the way for broader reporting. They made it clear that such an outcome would embolden others to cover the truth, but without it, the pervasive influence of Media24’s coverage leaves my efforts dismissed as sour grapes.
Enhanced Reward and Protection of Criminal Actions
Media24’s articles have not only defamed me but also shielded those responsible for orchestrating this campaign against scrutiny. By portraying me as the villain, the articles provided cover for my accusers, protecting them from accountability for their actions. This protection has emboldened them to continue their misconduct, unexamined and unchecked. Until the real narrative is reported and the articles corrected, those who orchestrated and benefited from this campaign will remain free to act without consequence.
Inability to File Charges and Pursue Recovery
The same barriers exist when attempting to report crimes committed against me. The articles’ defamatory portrayal has eroded my credibility to such an extent that law enforcement views my efforts to seek justice with skepticism or outright disbelief. Whether attempting to recover stolen possessions—such as jewellery and the contents of my London home—or seeking accountability for the criminal acts of those behind the campaign, I face a system that dismisses my claims as attempts to reclaim ill-gotten gains.
When the criminals are portrayed as victims and the victim as the criminal, the chances of motivating investigations or pursuing justice are effectively zero.
Death Threats
The caricature of me painted by Media24 as a malevolent fraudster defrauding millions has placed me in grave danger. The narrative has incited strong emotions among readers, leading to explicit death threats against me. This danger has been exacerbated by individuals like Mario Boffa, who, after embezzling over R1 million from guest funds, continued to deflect blame onto me.
Boffa propagated the false narratives from Media24’s articles to misdirect angry clients, creating a petition that further perpetuated lies about me. Despite attempts to report his actions to his banks, Boffa continued to point enraged clients toward the articles as "proof" of my guilt, leading to a barrage of hostile communications and at least six explicit death threats.
One particularly dangerous incident involved a well-connected Congolese guest, defrauded of over R200,000, who sent associates to my home. This incident underscores the very real danger posed by Media24’s false reporting, which has left me exposed to threats of violence and retaliation.
Constant Threat of Retaliation
The legitimization of the campaign against me through Media24’s reporting has emboldened those involved, creating a climate of ongoing threat. Knowing that their actions are shielded by the media narrative, my accusers act with impunity. This has left me in a constant state of vulnerability, anticipating further sabotage or retaliation. Until Media24’s narrative is corrected and the real perpetrators are exposed, this constant threat to my safety and well-being will persist.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Urgency
The stakes could not be higher. My ability to resolve these issues is constrained by time, particularly as my mother’s health continues to deteriorate. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022 and now in her late seventies, she has endured immense stress caused by the defamatory articles and my wrongful arrests.
I have been unable to visit her since leaving the UK in December 2020 due to SAPS’s sabotage of my visa extension. Initially, COVID-19 travel disruptions kept us apart; later, my immigration status—undermined by the campaign against me—prevented any chance of reuniting. Every passing day diminishes our chances of reconciliation.
Until Media24’s articles are retracted, corrected, and replaced with the truth, I stand almost no chance of normalizing my immigration status. This step is critical not only to rebuilding my life but to securing the possibility of seeing my mother while there is still time.
My top priority remains achieving:
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Apologies: Acknowledgment of the harm caused by Media24’s defamatory reporting.
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Unreserved Retractions: Removal of all false narratives propagated by the articles.
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Full Corrections: Replacement of the fabricated stories with the truth, ensuring the damage to my reputation, professional life, and immigration status is reversed.
The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. Without immediate progress, the opportunity to restore my name and rebuild my life may come too late, leaving irreparable personal and professional damage in its wake.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Very Real & Present Danger
The situation I face is not only dire but also extraordinarily perilous. From the outset, my approach to addressing the injustices committed against me was deliberately cautious. I limited my complaints to two bodies: IPID, to investigate the police, and
PSIRA, to investigate the actions of the private investigator, Mr. de Swardt. This strategy stemmed from a belief that swift, effective investigations and prosecutions could occur before those under scrutiny became aware of my efforts, thereby reducing the risk to my safety.
Despite this caution, my attempts to seek justice have exposed me to significant risks. The individuals involved in this campaign have already demonstrated their willingness to employ any means necessary—however illegal or immoral—to achieve their objectives. Their actions, which number in the hundreds of criminal offenses, include:
Weaponized Arrests and Detention
Conducting two unlawful arrests designed solely to incarcerate me in Pollsmoor Prison under fabricated pretenses.
Using arrests as a pretext for evictions, bypassing legal tenant protections.
Targeting Ollie Sokanyile purely out of spite and revenge, despite having regained control of the property.
Unlawful and Covert Operations
Orchestrating a secret, unofficial, and illegal raid on my second Llandudno property under the cover of my arrest, purely to execute an unlawful eviction.
Coercion and Witness Tampering
Threatening and intimidating individuals connected to me, coercing them to sign pre-written witness statements under the threat of decades-long imprisonment.
Theft of Property and Assets
Seizing over R100 million in rental premiums, refurbishment investments, and several million rand worth of personal possessions, including artwork, furniture, and valuables—all of which remain in the landlords’ possession without any attempt at restitution.
Creating Additional Victims
Devising a plan to create victims by withholding critical information from booking platforms, ensuring that hundreds of families would arrive at the properties unaware of the situation, only to find themselves homeless. This deliberate act served to manufacture evidence for the landlords’ civil court applications.
The sheer breadth and severity of these actions make it clear that there is no limit to what they would do to avoid prosecution, exposure, or accountability. Their incentive to silence me or orchestrate my removal is greater now than ever before.
Increased Risk Amid Expanded Efforts
Over the past year and a half, I have compiled an extensive body of evidence to support my claims. In doing so, I have significantly expanded the scope of my efforts, reaching out to various individuals and institutions, including:
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Government and Oversight Bodies: The Minister of Police, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Director General of Home Affairs, the Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, and the SAPS complaints system.
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Public Representatives and Media: Premier Alan Winde, the Press Council Ombudsman, and journalists across various publications.
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Embassies and International Organizations: Ongoing dialogue with the British Embassy and appeals to the Police Ombudsman regarding IPID’s failure to act.
While these expanded efforts aim to expose the truth and hold those responsible accountable, they also expose me to renewed and heightened risks. The individuals and entities I am challenging have already shown their capacity for extreme and unlawful retaliation. The very real possibility of fabricated charges or even physical harm looms over every step I take.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
The Scale Of Damage And Desperate Need For Resolution
The scale of the damage inflicted upon my life is beyond comprehension, and its devastating effects continue to ripple through every aspect of my existence. My experiences in Pollsmoor Prison remain a vivid and terrifying reminder of what is at stake. The thought of returning to that horrific environment—where physical conditions, abuse, and mental torture were the norm—is unbearable. Knowing that private individuals have successfully weaponized state resources to imprison me for their financial gain is a constant source of fear.
The urgency to bring the truth to light is paramount. Each day that passes without exposing the real story increases the likelihood of further retaliation. The fabricated and one-sided reporting by Media24 empowered Wouter de Swardt and his clients to commit and conceal countless criminal acts. These articles were weaponized to justify illegal actions, including arrests and evictions, and destroy my reputation to the point where rebuilding my life seems impossible.
Their impact has been catastrophic. The relentless stigma has rendered me unemployable in my field or any trust-based industry. I cannot form relationships, as any potential partner inevitably discovers the articles and distances themselves. I cannot find a home, as landlords and agencies view me as a liability. I cannot travel to see my ailing mother or seek medical care abroad. Worst of all, I cannot lay charges against those who wronged me, as the articles have destroyed my credibility in the eyes of law enforcement.
Four years of my life have been stolen by this ordeal, with no end in sight. I am desperate to begin rebuilding, but this cannot happen until the truth is exposed, and the fabricated narrative is dismantled. My only hope lies in ensuring that the facts come to light—not just for my sake, but for those affected by this campaign and the systemic abuses it represents. Justice must be served to prevent similar travesties from happening to others.
The urgency is clear: the longer this distorted narrative persists, the greater the risk of continued retaliation. Only by exposing the truth can I regain control of my life and ensure that those who conspired against me are held accountable.
Conclusion
The media wields immense power to shape narratives, mold public perception, and profoundly impact lives. This power demands the highest standard of responsibility, fairness, and truth. Yet, Media24 wholly abandoned these principles, transforming their platform—whether through recklessness or deliberate intent—into a weapon of harm.
The articles they published were not impartial, nor were they the product of rigorous investigation. Instead, they became the vehicle for a calculated campaign driven by private interests, with the singular purpose of dismantling my professional standing and personal life. As South Africa’s largest online news publisher, Media24 commands extraordinary reach and influence. Trusted as one of the country’s most authoritative sources of news, their reporting magnifies its impact exponentially, influencing not only domestic audiences but also international perceptions. For most readers, what appears in their publications is the truth, unquestioned and unchallenged.
The reality, however, is starkly different. Media24's coverage was riddled with strategic omissions, selective reporting, and unchecked reliance on anonymous sources. These tactics concealed the criminal actions of the Consortium while amplifying false, unsubstantiated allegations against me. When actual legal evidence failed to substantiate their claims, Media24’s reporting filled the void, granting legitimacy to fabrications that would crumble under judicial scrutiny.
The consequences of this malpractice have been devastating. Media24’s articles did not merely defame me; they actively participated in catalyzing the events that destroyed my life. These articles stripped me of my liberty, casting me into Pollsmoor Prison under false pretenses. They erased my financial stability and professional identity, robbing me of any ability to rebuild. They severed my personal relationships, embedding doubt and mistrust among those closest to me. They obstructed my immigration status, closing off opportunities to rebuild my life outside South Africa. Most critically, they emboldened and protected those who conspired against me, shielding their actions from accountability while amplifying their false narratives.
These publications became the driving force behind a campaign to vilify and destroy me, perpetuating harm at every turn. By failing to uphold even the most basic tenets of journalistic integrity, Media24 turned their platform into a tool of manipulation, delivering ruinous consequences with no regard for the truth.
This submission is not just a call for accountability for the specific violations of the Press Code but an urgent plea for Media24 to acknowledge the gravity of their role in this travesty. I seek retraction, correction, and apology—not only as a matter of personal justice but as a step toward restoring the public’s faith in the media as a guardian of truth and accountability.
The damage caused by this deliberate distortion of facts has been monumental, yet its full consequences reach far beyond my personal suffering. It raises urgent questions about the integrity of the media, the accountability of those who wield its power, and the protection of individuals against abuse through unbalanced and unchecked reporting. Only through acknowledgment, corrective action, and a commitment to transparency can Media24 begin to repair the damage they have caused and reclaim their standing as a trusted and responsible voice in journalism.
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"INGE" BROAD
"Inge (surname withheld) told News24 it was heartbreaking and frustrating to see what was done to her and her husband’s luxury property on the Atlantic seaboard."
"A journalist is supposed to be the watchdog of truth, not the lapdog of power." Joseph Pulitzer