Editors head to Parliament over SABC 'crisis'

The SA National Editor’s Forum (Sanef) plans to approach Parliament regarding the ‘crisis’ at the SABC. Sanef chairperson Mpumelelo Mkhabela said presentations would be made to Parliament and other stakeholders in light of allegations of censorship and the suspension and censuring of six SABC employees, notes a Daily Dispatch report. ‘Parliament has a statutory duty to do something from an oversight point of view. It’s about time. The SABC should not be allowed to drift further into this crisis. Public perception of the broadcaster is at an all-time low, and we cannot allow that to continue,’ Mkhabela said. This follows the resignation of SABC acting CEO Jimi Matthews on Monday and the suspensions of three staff members last week who disagreed with an editorial policy decision. And yesterday, disciplinary action was launched against Special Assignment executive producer Busisiwe Ntuli, SAfm Current Affairs executive producer Krivani Pillay and senior investigative reporter Jacques Steenkamp who sent a letter to SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng expressing ‘displeasure and increasing concern’ over recent developments. The letter followed the suspensions of economics editor Thandeka Gqubule, RSG executive producer Foeta Krige and senior journalist Suna Venter last week. Solidarity is to represent all six SABC employees, some of whom have their disciplinary hearings today. Solidarity leader Dirk Hermann said the union had requested the hearings be postponed to afford the six time to consult legal representatives.