Correction and apology
The articles stated that Ban Animal Trading South Africa (BAT) director Smaragda Louw challenged the circus over the alleged whipping of animals in the show.
In the January 30, 2026 edition on page 1, Benoni City Times published an article titled “Activists protest at circus”.
The article contained the opinions of animal activists, who opposed the circus’s activities.
On January 29, an online article with video content was published under the headline WATCH: BAT activists fight for animals’ rights during McLaren Circus.
The articles stated that Ban Animal Trading South Africa (BAT) director Smaragda Louw challenged the circus over the alleged whipping of animals in the show.
ALSO READ: WATCH: BAT activists fight for animals during McLaren Circus
This statement sought to paraphrase her question publicly posed at the circus (and recorded on video by Benoni City Times): “McLaren, how many animals have you whipped today?”
BAT has since indicated that this paraphrase was not correct, and her exact words are hereby placed on record.
The publication reservedly retracts the paraphrased statement and apologises.
Also contained in the article was the following statement: “Undercover investigations have revealed brutal training methods and vicious treatment by trainers.”
Benoni City Times retracts this statement as it was not independently verified prior to publication, and apologises for its publication.
Subsequent to publication, the Benoni SPCA confirmed that its two inspections revealed no legal transgressions by the circus.
ALSO READ: The Great Moscow Circus heading to Carnival City
