SABC continues to purge “disloyal” journalists

·19 Jul 2016

[Update] The SABC has now fired all employees who were previously suspended, known as the SABC 8. Four were axed on Monday, with the other four being dropped on Tuesday.

[Original story] The SABC has fired two more journalists, according to News24, taking the total count to six editorial staff who have been given marching orders.

Busisiwe Ntuli, a specialist producer for the investigative programme Special Assignment, and Lukhanyo Calata, a SABC journalist in Cape Town, have been axed, it was reported.

Their names join Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Krivani Pillay and Jacques Steenkamp who were informed of their axing on Monday, despite an ongoing disciplinary hearing.

The latter four journalists are part of 8 members who were suspended and are currently being investigated by the SABC for speaking out and taking a stance against the group’s censorship policy.

Trade union Solidarity will on Thursday ask the Labour Court to set aside the SABC’s decision to dismiss them.

According to Solidarity, the dismissal letter states: “it is common knowledge that the journalists do not respect the SABC’s management and that they would continue to undermine the SABC’s authority and its management.”

The broadcaster said the journalists’ behaviour was untenable.

The other journalists have been suspended for “liaising with the media” without authorisation from their bosses.

The move is seen as defiant SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng making good on his promise to rid the SABC of “disloyal” employees, which is being carried out by what he calls “Operation Clean Up”.

The controversial COO has made headlines for introducing censorship policies at the SABC, completely shrugging off an Icasa order that it reverse said policy, and ordering special treatment for president Jacob Zuma in any coverage.

Motsoeneng – and the department of communications – has also summarily disregarded a High Court order that he be removed from his position.