SABC court case update

18 July 2016

The Helen Suzman Foundation’s ("HSF")  urgent application against the SABC, its Board of Directors, the Minister of Communications and Hlaudi Motsoeneng is proceeding with the matter set down to be heard before Murphy J, on 20 July 2016, Wednesday at 10h00, in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria.

The HSF seeks urgent relief interdicting the implementation of the SABC's policy and practice not to cover violent and other protests, as well as relief preventing the SABC from adopting or implementing any censorship policy which would be contrary to the mandate of the public broadcaster.

The Respondents filed their Answering Affidavits late Thursday evening, 14 July 2016, well after the stipulated time frame for filing of papers. The Respondents provided an unsigned Answering Affidavit, deposed to by the General Manager of News Special Broadcasts, also currently acting as the Group Executive News and Current Affairs. The incumbent COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, has deposed to a Confirmatory Affidavit.

The HSF notes the late filing of papers as a mere delaying tactic on the part of the Respondents. The HSF, however, remains undeterred, and the matter will continue to be heard on an urgent basis.

Issued by Helen Suzman Foundation, 18 July 2016