The Cosatu has sent the following letter to Advocate Dali Mpofu 06 - 21 - 06

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has sent the following letter to Advocate Dali Mpofu, Group Chief Executive, SABC.

20 June 2006

Advocate Dali Mpofu

Group Chief Executive, SABC

Aukland Park

Dear Advocate Mpofu

I was concerned to read an article in today's Sowetan entitled "SABC blacklists 'disloyal' critics". The author, Kingdom Mabuza, alleges that the SABC has banned four top black political commentators - Aubrey Matshiqi, William Gumede, Karima Brown and Vukani Mde - and that "SABC editor Snuki Zikalala has told his staff that opinion pieces by the four commentators should not be accepted for use in the public broadcaster's news and current-affairs programmes".

Would you please confirm or deny the truth of this allegation.

If it is true, it will reinforce COSATU's previously expressed concern over media reports of remarks allegedly made at an ANC media briefing by "a senior SABC personality" about the need to 'isolate and neutralise' COSATU General Secretary.

We are still awaiting your reply to our letter demanding that the SABC disassociate itself from these comments attributed to the SABC official, and that if any person from the SABC did make those comments that she or he resign his or her position.

COSATU believes passionately in the need for a truly independent public broadcaster. The SABC must never be allowed to play a partisan role and form part of factions in our movement. If there is any truth in either of these serious allegations, it will mean that the Corporation is departing from these principles, and undermining our democracy.

I look forward to your early response

Yours in the struggle

Bheki Ntshalintshali

Deputy General Secretary