The SABC axe falls on more journalists
Civil society organisations have condemned the axing of several journalists who have spoken out against the SABC's editorial policy.
Lukhanyo Calata, a journalist based in Cape Town, received his letter of termination on Tuesday.
Jacques Steenkamp, Suna Venter, Foeta Krige and Krivani Pillay were fired yesterday.
Independent contractor Vuyo Mvoko's contract with the broadcaster still hangs in the balance. JacarandaFM News understands that Mvoko has not received any formal communication from the SABC.
Economics editor Thandeka Gqubule has reportedly also been dismissed.
This brings the total to seven journalists sacked by the SABC.
The SA National Editors Forum has strongly condemned the dismissals.
"What ought to be a public broadcaster is under the grip of what is a dictatorship led by the COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng" said Sam Mkhokheli chair of the SANEF subcommittee on media freedom.
A lawyer for the SABC eight Aslam Moosajee is applying for direct access to the Constitutional Court. He says he's aware of termination letters being sent to journalists.
"If the SABC had been confident in their case they wouldn't be taking these steps before court had determined our application" Moosajee said.
The Communication Workers Union says the reporters have been unfairly dismissed.
"We believe in justice and a fair inquiry. If they could come to us we would represent them," said CWU President Clyde Mervin.
Organisation, Media Monitoring Africa says it hopes the public broadcaster sees the illegitimacy of its decision to fire several journalists.
"The SABC have completely ignored the legitimate legal process and the rights of the journalists to take their case forward. To see this kind of censorship at our public broadcaster is on another level" said MMA's Thandi Smith