Labour court finds SABC’s dismissal of four journalists unlawful
- Published on 27 Jul 2016
- HR Pulse
The Labour Court found, yesterday, that the dismissal of four journalists fired by the SABC was unlawful. The judgement now requires the SABC to allow the workers to return to work.
In addition, the broadcaster was also barred from pursuing any disciplinary action against the journalists who were suspended for questioning the decision taken by the SABC to ban the footage of violent protests where public property was being destroyed.
In total, eight journalists were suspended and seven of those were dismissed. Trade union Solidarity, acting on behalf of four of the eight journalists, namely Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Jacques Steenkamp and Krivani Pillay, lodged an application in the Labour Court in a bid to have the dismissals overturned.
According to Solidarity, the SABC must reinstate the journalists in their positions immediately. Furthermore, within five days the persons responsible for the journalists’ dismissal must provide motivation to the court why they should not be held liable in their personal capacity.
Solidarity Chief Executive Dr Dirk Hermann, said Solidarity and each of the applicants join South Africa in sharing in the delight with the ruling. “The principles that have prevailed here are freedom of speech, press freedom, the right of the public to be informed and the curbing of executive powers. We knew all along that we would win as our case was morally and juristically justified,” Hermann said.
Hermann added that today’s ruling signals a strong message that we are not a power based democracy but a constitutional democracy. “In a constitutional democracy power is limited. One’s power does not extend beyond constitutional principles. Motsoeneng succeeded in uniting South Africans across a broad spectrum around constitutional values. The SABC saga carries hope with it,” Hermann said.
“Our members can now return to work to do what they are passionate about, and that is to serve the public by providing information to them. Through it all they were resolute to protect the principles upon which our democracy is based – even if they had to pay a high price for it personally,” Hermann said.
