Johannesburg - Four axed SABC journalists are now expected to hear on Tuesday whether the Labour Court will set aside their dismissals from the public broadcaster.
Judgment in the case of Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Krivani Pillay and Jacques Steenkamp will be handed down in Cape Town on Tuesday, trade union Solidarity reportedly said on Monday.
The four approached the court on Friday to obtain an interdict setting aside their dismissals.
They are part of a team of eight who have challenged the broadcaster’s controversial editorial policies, particularly a ban on airing footage of violent protests. The ban has been compared to self-censorship.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) last week ordered the broadcaster to rescind the protest ban.
After initial disagreement with Icasa’s order, the broadcaster and its chief operating officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, have reversed its decision not to air protest footage.
Dirk Hermann, chief executive of Solidarity which is representing the eight SABC journalists, said the union was confident it had managed to convince the court that the dismissal of the four was unlawful and in breach of legislation.
“We are convinced that our members will soon be back at work to serve the public by providing information to them,” Hermann said.