In her apology, dated 10 June 2009, Venter retracts all statements made that have negatively referred to Neo Africa CEO Vivien Natasen, Neo Innovations and committed to refraining from making such statements in future. The apology follows a settlement between the parties in which Venter also agreed not to trade in the event, public relations and marketing sectors for a period of 10 months outside of her present employment. Venter also agreed to repay the R300 000 advance made available to her by Natasen last year.
“While I am satisfied with Venter's apology in respect to her recent conduct,” says Natasen, “negative inference in the Sunday Times again countered the spirit of the settlement and her subsequent apology.” He says that Venter undertook in her apology to refrain from future negative behaviour. “We have come to a fair settlement, parted ways and mutually committed not to negatively communicate on one another.”
