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After finishing the first round of argument in the labour court against the employees it has fired, the SABC will have to brace itself for another day in court on Thursday.
Four of the so-called #SABC8 – who were fired because they were critical of controversial editorial decisions at the public broadcaster – have already taken the SABC to court and are demanding they be reinstated in their positions and the disciplinary action against them be scrapped.
Judgment in this case is expected tomorrow.
Meanwhile, another two of the #SABC8 have filed an urgent application against the broadcaster to have their dismissal set aside.
Parliamentary reporter Lukhanyo Calata and Special Assignment executive producer Busisiwe Ntuli will have their day in court on Thursday.
Calata declined to comment but confirmed that their case will be heard in the labour court in Joburg on Thursday and that the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media, and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) will be representing them.
Bemawu spokesperson Hannes du Buisson said Calata and Ntuli were given until July 28 to respond to the letters from their employer threatening them with further action.
“They were fired before the deadline. We are saying the SABC not only acted unlawfully but also infringed on their employees’ constitutional rights.”
The public broadcaster has thus far in court argued that the firing of the eight employees is no different to any other dismissal on the grounds of a breach of contract.
The SABC has also since agreed to abide by an order of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa to reverse the decision not to broadcast violent protests.
