The SABC is remaining defiant to South Africa’s courts, blocking sacked journalists from returning to work while it appeals a Labour Court ruling overturning their dismissal.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the Labour Court ruled that four of the “SABC 8” –\u00a0Foeta Krige\u201a Suna Venter\u201a Krivani Pillay and Jacques Steenkamp – were unlawfully dismissed, and said that they could return to work.<\/p>\n
However, following the ruling, trade union Solidarity – representing the journalists – received a letter from the SABC’s legal team saying that the four could not return to work, pending an appeal to the ruling.<\/p>\n
The letter, from Ningiza Horner Inc. Attorneys reads:<\/p>\n
Dear Sirs,<\/p>\n
RE: SOLIDARITY obo 4 OTHERS\/SABC – CASE NO: J1343\/16<\/p>\n
We refer to the above matter and advise that our client intends to appeal judgement rendered today, the 26th July 2016.<\/p>\n
In the premise, please be advised that your client may not report for duty pending the outcome of the appeal<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Solidarity now intends to submit and urgent bid to force the SABC to take the workers back, it said.<\/p>\n
The remaining journalists are still fighting their dismissal, while all have applied for direct access to the Constitutional Court on the matter.<\/p>\n
The journalists were suspended and then fired for speaking out against the SABC’s censorship policy, which saw “violent protest” footage banned from SABC channels. Other effects of the policy saw a number of news programmes canned or altered.<\/p>\n
The policy was widely criticised and ultimately challenged in the High Court, though the broadcaster remained defiant and kept the policy going.<\/p>\n
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) ruled on July 11 that the SABC had to withdraw its resolution, announced in May, to ban showing footage of violent protests.<\/p>\n
SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng initially said after the ruling that no one could tell the SABC what to do and that they would challenge Icasa\u2019s decision in court. However, in a surprise turn Icasa said on Wednesday afternoon that the SABC agreed to comply with the ruling.<\/p>\n
More on SABC<\/h3>\n
SABC agrees to reverse censorship policy: report<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
SABC ices finance officials who warned about massive overspending: report<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Defy Icasa and \u2018you will learn hard\u2019 Mantashe warns SABC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n