SABC will challenge ICASA ruling: Motsoeneng

The SABC's controversial COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng made the announcement shortly after accusing all newsrooms of censorship during a press briefing in Johannesburg.

Motsoeneng said they will go all the way to the highest court in the land if need be.

"We are not stopping here. If there are issues about the ICASA ruling, we are challenging that ruling so that if we need to go to the Constitutional Court that is where the matter will end. We are not going to change anything. People should forget. Newspapers can come together, Right2Know, everybody. We invite you to do that," Motsoeneng said.

The Chairperson of the SABC Board, Prof Mbulaheni Maguvhe, said they will take the time given to them by ICASA to review the ruling.

"I still believe that we were right and I maintain that we are right. We have never imposed any blanket ban on the visuals. I'm surprised that this word is now being used. Blanket ban. For us it is not a blanket ban, it's just a veil. You can see through it, because we are showing visuals," Maguvhe said.

The authority's acting chairperson, Rubben Mohlaloga, briefed the media on Monday saying the SABC went against the rules and regulations of the authority when it decided not to broadcast the destruction of property. 

ICASA added the decision was also against the Constitutional right of freedom of expression. 

Mohlaloga said the SABC has seven days to implement the recommendation, or its license could be revoked.

"The chairperson of the SABC board must confirm in writing to the ICASA council via the office of the Complaints and Compliance Committee coordinator within seven days from the date on which the order is served that the resolution was indeed taken as ordered by the council," he said. 

During the protest, a man stood up and held up a banner shouting "Hlaudi must go!", before being escorted out of the room.