CCC to hear DA advert dispute

754 The DA's Joburg Mayoral Candidate, Mmusi Maimane, 070411. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

754 The DA's Joburg Mayoral Candidate, Mmusi Maimane, 070411. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Apr 15, 2014

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Johannesburg - Communications watchdog Icasa has referred the DA's advertisement complaint case against the SABC to the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC).

“Following engagement with the parties, Icasa [Independent Communications Authority of SA] decided to refer the matter to the CCC on an urgent basis for adjudication,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The authority would like to make it clear that in referring the matter to the CCC on an urgent basis, it acted within the 48-hours timelines as required by the elections regulations.”

The CCC's public hearings would begin on Tuesday evening at 6pm at Icasa's headquarters in Sandton.

The Democratic Alliance laid a complaint with Icasa on Saturday after the SABC failed to broadcast its election advertisement.

The “Ayisafani” advert was pulled off the air last week, along with four radio advertisements.

The advert in question shows the DA's Gauteng premier candidate and spokesman, Mmusi Maimane, standing in front of a mirror talking about the current state of the country. He says life today is better than it was 20 years ago and gives credit to great leaders who he believes have taken the country forward.

“But since 2008 we've seen President Jacob Zuma's ANC. An ANC that is corrupt. An ANC for the connected few. An ANC that is taking us backwards. An ANC where more than 1.4 million people have lost jobs.”

Maimane then asks Zuma where the jobs are.

The SABC did not broadcast the advertisement and gave the DA a letter. In it, SABC acting group CEO Tian Olivier informed the party that it would not be able to broadcast the advert on radio or television as it incited violence. The SABC said the party could submit an amended version of the advertisement.

The CCC -- established in terms of the Icasa Act, is an independent statutory body empowered to adjudicate, hear and make a finding on all matters referred to it, not only by the authority, but also by the public. - Sapa

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