More SABC journalists dismissed
More of the eight SABC journalists who were facing disciplinary action for questioning new editorial policies have been fired by the public broadcaster
Yesterday, Krivani Pillay, Jacques Steenkamp, Foeta Krige and Suna Venter, received emails informing them of their dismissal - with the SABC saying they've continued to publicly defy management.
The other four are Vuyo Mvoko, Thandeka Gqubule, Busisiwe Ntuli and Lukhanyo Calata were dismissed with immediate effect today.
It is understood three of them received letters of dismissal this morning while the contract of the fourth journalist was said to have apparently ended.
The policies include the banning of the broadcast of violent protests.
The South African National Editors Forum's Sam Mkhokheli says every citizen should get involved in protecting the broadcster for the people.
"This is a shocking development and we as Sanef would like to condemn it in the strongest possible terms. It's very brazen on the part of the very illegitimate leadership at the SABC to be taking such decisions especially coming on the eve of a court action on Thursday where the eight journalists were to challenge the original suspension.
"This is an act of dictatorship and all South Africans should be standing up to defend not only the SABC as a public broadcaster and democracy," he said.
Last week, ICASA ordered the SABC to reverse its decision on the coverage of violent protests, but COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng said nothing was going to be changed.