Johannesburg - The SACP says it will not stop its campaigning against the SABC until all of the eight journalists who were taken off air for questioning its censorship policies are back behind their desks.
While seven reporters were allowed back at work yesterday after a Labour Court ruling in their favour, independent contractor and the most prominent of the group, Vuyo Mvoko, is still fighting for his return.
Mvoko went to the high court to Johannesburg on Thursday to fight the broadcaster, but the case was postponed to next Tuesday.
“We, the SACP, have stuck to our vow to continue campaigning until all the SABC 8 are reinstated,” the party said ion a statement.
“Mvoko’s case is complicated by the fact that he works for the SABC on a contract, rather than as a full-time employee. The dictatorial regime at the SABC is attempting to use this technicality to keep Mvoko off air.
“His principled opposition has included writing a front-page lead in The Star newspaper, headlined “My Hell at the SABC” and detailing how Motsoeneng and his collaborators sought to control and direct the news.
“And, as contributing editor, his editorial influence at the SABC was potentially significant, holding the line against the censorship Motsoeneng’s censorship edict,” it said.
The SACP urged all workers and their organisations at the SABC to take action to compel Motsoeneng, the corporation’s executive directors and the entire board, to be declared legally personally liable for the millions of rands of public funds “thrown into the gutter” as a result of the court cases.
Labour Bureau