Head of drug centre sues media group

The Cape Argus reports Pastor Sophocles Nissiotis claims, in papers before the Cape High Court, the newspaper made the alleged defamatory statements, which portray him as a person with no regard for human rights, in an editorial printed on October 8. In October, the government ordered the centre to cease operations because it was violating human rights, and it was given until March 2005 to wind down operations. Johan Theron, of Jan S de Villiers Attorneys, acting for Die Burger, said he had received instruction to oppose the matter. \'In essence what was said is fair comment based on true fact,\' Theron said. \'We will file our plea in due course.\' Full report in the Cape Argus