Johannesburg – Axed SABC contributing editor Vuyo Mvoko’s application to get the public broadcaster to reinstate him was dismissed by Judge Fritz van Oosen at the Johannesburg High Court on Friday.
Mvoko, an independent producer, had complained that the SABC has not aired his programmes ever since he publicly objected to its now rescinded ban on broadcasting visuals of protests in which state property was destroyed.
Mvoko, who was not present during the judgment, was also ordered to pay the costs of the application.
The judgment lasted about 10 minutes.
The senior political anchor and producer at SABC was on a three-year contract. Seven other journalists were also fired for similar reasons, but they have since been reinstated after taking the matter to court.
On Friday after the ruling, Mvoko tweeted: “Court has dismissed my application. Will give reasons on the 12th. Appeal? Obviously…!!!”
Mvoko’s attorney Joy Walker said they were disappointed with the outcome, but they will consider an appeal.
“The judge did find that there’s sufficient urgency in the case, but it was dismissed on the merits.”
“The court can’t order the SABC to reinstate Vuyo in this case… Urgency just means that there was sufficient urgency to bring the application on the urgent court roll,” explained Walker.
Walker said she is not sure when they will file for leave to appeal.
Judge Van Oosen said he would explain the reasons why the application was dismissed next Friday.
African News Agency