SABC guest smokes weed live on air

·11 May 2015

A guest on the SABC Newsroom program discussing the legalisation of cannabis in South Africa ended his appearance by lighting up what appears to be a dagga joint while live on air.

Head of the Cannabis Working Group, Andre du Plessis joined Central Drug Authority (CDA) deputy Chairperson, David Nayever, in a discussion about cannabis legalisation on the SABC segment which aired on Monday (11 May).

According to the SABC broadcast, Nayever said the CDA is aware that the legalisation of cannabis is something that needs to be investigated seriously and it would look at what is best for South Africa.

Nayever noted, however, that recent xenophobic attacks in the country had delayed the discussions.

Clearly annoyed by the notion that xenophobia had a part to play, Du Plessis interjected, saying: “The CDA is 11 years late in presenting its position paper. Please don’t bring xenophobia into this as a form excuse into being late and doing your job.”

Du Plessis then proceeded to take out what appears to be a cannabis joint, and lit it on screen.

You can see the clip below:

In response, the SABC distanced itself from Du Plessis’ actions:

“The SABC Broadcaster and the SABC Newsroom does not condone the actions of our guest Andre Du Plessis. The views expressed in this video clip/ interview are not that of the SABC and Associates, but that of the guest.”

Earlier this year the SABC made headlines when another ‘shocking’ event took place on live TV.

On 10 March 2015, SABC contributing editor Vuyo Mvoko was mugged live on camera while preparing to present a news piece outside the Milpark Hospital in central Johannesburg.

Two muggers approached Mvoko, who was lit in front of the camera, and proceeded to threaten and rob him and the rest of the production crew, who were hidden in the darkness.