THE future of one the SABC’s most senior journalists, Vuyo Mvoko, hangs in the balance today – despite the temporary reprieve granted to seven of his colleagues, who together make up the “SABC 8”.
Cape Times sister paper The Star understands that Mvoko, the most senior member of the eight-person group of journalists to speak out against the reign of repression and censorship being waged by SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, was served with a letter on Friday by the public broadcaster to provide reasons why his contract should not be terminated.
Last week, Mvoko, a contributing editor and specialist anchor, told of the increasingly hellish working conditions for journalists at the SABC under Motsoeneng, who he described as an extreme version of former SABC supremo Snuki Zikalala, who Mvoko fought against in 2008.
Mvoko is at risk because unlike Thandeka Qgubule, Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Busisiwe Ntuli, Krivani Pillay, Jacques Steenkamp and Lukhanyo Calata, he is not a permanent staffer and doesn't have union representation.
The seven were due to appear before a disciplinary hearing today, but their cases have been postponed indefinitely. Despite corroborating versions about the impending termination of Mvoko’s contract, SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said he was unaware of any letter or today’s deadline for Mvoko.
Kganyago also declined to respond to trade union Solidarity’s announcement that the disciplinary hearing against the seven had been suspended.
“This is an internal matter and we don’t discuss employer/employee relationships with the media. Our internal processes will not be handled in the public space,” Kganyago said.
Solidarity, which represents three of the seven, also announced it would approach the Constitutional Court in the coming week for direct access to test the constitutionality of the censorship instruction. It also intends to approach the Labour Court to obtain an interdict against the SABC’s disciplinary process.
On Saturday, the "SABC 8" were collectively awarded the Nat Nakasa Award for courageous journalism by the SA National Editors Forum (Sanef) at a function in Johannesburg. Sanef said it would "continue to support their cause and all who stand against tyranny".
Meanwhile, the ANC’s communication subcommittee has called Communications Minister Faith Muthambi to Luthuli House to explain the climate at the SABC.