Cosatu condemns SABC disciplinary hearing 24 - 10 - 06

COSATU condemns SABC disciplinary hearing

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is shocked to hear that the SABC is to summon John Perlman to a disciplinary hearing. His only ‘offence’ was to publicly contradict an SABC spokesperson who was giving false information about the SABC’s practice of blacklisting political commentators. He should be praised rather than disciplined. Without his heroic deed the SABC might not have been compelled to hold its Commission of Inquiry which confirmed the blacklisting allegations and vindicated John Perlman’s statement.

We demand that the disciplinary process be called off immediately. Otherwise this will mean that no-one at the public broadcaster will ever dare to tell anyone the truth, that a culture of fear and sycophancy will take root and that those with independent views will leave.

COSATU calls for an urgent meeting with SABC Group Chief Executive, Dali Mpofu, to discuss this and other questions the federation has raised, including the Sunday Sun allegation about remarks allegedly made at an ANC media briefing by “a senior SABC personality” about the need to ‘isolate and neutralise’ COSATU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.