The South African Communist Party (SACP) are planning to picket at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the ANN7 office in support of the workers and against the apartheid-style draconian censorship of news. The planned protest will be during next week according to a statement issued by the SACP.
During the picket, a memorandum will be included urging the SABC to reverse the censorship of protest footage that has emerged around the country in the past few months. The SACP want the broadcasting corporation to end the ongoing administration and governance decay that is prohibiting the public broadcaster from delivering on its public mandate responsibilities.
The suspension of three SABC workers and the Guptas’ owned ANN7 dismissal of eight employees are a violation of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The SACP condemns these actions and is calling for the reinstatement of the dismissed employees. It is bullying and intimidation of workers by employers, and both the SACP and COSATU are opposed to this action taken by both the SABC and ANN7.
The SACP will announce further details of when the intended picket will be held. The SACP have stated that “the failure of the SABC and ANN7 to accede to the demands would be met with rolling mass action in the form of marches.”
Will the picket make a difference? The Chief Operating Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng denies that there is a revolt within the organization. Motsoeneng also denies that there is any censorship happening within the SABC.
The freedom of speech, the public’s right to know and the constitutional limits are at stake here. Motsoeneng is in denial and will have to answer to the power of the public and unions. Solidarity is taking the matter to the labor court and will defend the unfair suspension of the employees.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
