ANN7 workers picket over dismissal of colleagues

Nine ANN7 employees were reportedly dismissed after they booed ANCYL President Collen Maine in April.

Communication Workers' Union (CWU) Organiser Tshepo Matlou explains what happened.

According to sources, Maine was booed by employees as they felt betrayed by the ANCYL president who they believe had not supported them during times of need. 

The dismissal is also understood to be a part of ANN7's response to those who allegedly intimidated a colleague who had written to banks to save all jobs at ANN7's holding company Oakbay. 

The letter followed the decision of major banks in South Africa to close Oakbay's bank accounts.

The dismissed employees had allegedly "bullied" and "intimidated" the author of the open letter although this has been denied by the sources.

#ANN7 Workers spilling the water given to them by the company...STM pic.twitter.com/V3XxIJkhEm

— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) June 29, 2016

#ANN7 Oakbay CEO Nazeem Howa and one of the Gupta brothers Ajay watching the picket.STM pic.twitter.com/HsKPHupi03

— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) June 29, 2016

#ANN7 Police presence and road closed off.STM pic.twitter.com/wzIWrOrLLS

— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) June 29, 2016

#ANN7 Workers picketing outside the studio's gates.STM pic.twitter.com/Ns6E8f3nhI

— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) June 29, 2016

#ANN7Workers The situation right now outside ANN7 Studios SM pic.twitter.com/GtxNcrBrvr

— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) June 29, 2016