The danger of defaming someone on Facebook was again highlighted in a damages claim instituted by Paul Hechter, whose name was ‘dragged in the mud’ following a run-in with his neighbour, says a report in The Mercury. Hechter said in papers before the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) that he was accused of being a Peeping Tom, a pervert and a paedophile.

This smear campaign, he said, caused him immense hardship, as messages of hate poured in from ‘concerned Centurion citizens’. Apart from the community’s tongues wagging about his ‘misconduct’, he started to receive threats via Facebook. According to Hechter the author of the messages was Michelle Benade – twice his neighbour.

He obtained an order against her in February this year in terms of which she had to retract the statements she had made about him on Facebook. She had to apologise for her comments and was interdicted from posting any similar comments in future. But Hechter turned to court again – this time claiming R1.3m in damages from Benade for defaming him. Benade did not defend the action and Hechter asked the court for summary judgment. Judge Mammon Teffo, however, postponed the matter indefinitely as Hechter was required to file a further affidavit in the matter.

Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)