South Africans have sent messages of support to Afrikaans SABC TV and radio presenter, Ivor Price, after the public broadcaster ordered him to leave the building immediately.
Price, who announced his resignation from the SABC yesterday, describing the working environment in the public broadcaster’s newsroom as oppressive, was meant to continue working until 5th August.
However, earlier this afternoon, reports emerged that Price had been taken off air from Afrikaans station, RSG, with immediate effect and ordered to leave the building.
Below is an image of Price on air just before he was taken off.
@ivorprice, een van die gewildste Afrikaanse aanbieders op radio en TV, is vandag deur die SAUK van die lug geskop. pic.twitter.com/LILMKaw9H5
— Pieter du Toit (@PieterDuToit) July 20, 2016
Many expressed shock and disbelief at the move, with messages of support being sent to Price on social media.
@Richards_Karin @ivorprice Respect!
— Trader_WP (@Trader_WP) July 20, 2016
This is what a modern Brave South African looks like! You Stood up against a Maniac! Much Respect @ivorprice! pic.twitter.com/bGkruT5Ah2
— JonElton (@JonElton2) July 20, 2016
Grootste respek vir @ivorprice jy gaan gemis word! Onaanvaarbaar….
— Anita Franken (@franken_anita) July 20, 2016
1/2 Woorde wek, maar voorbeelde trek. @ivorprice #Afrikaans #SAUK
— Afrikaanse Idiome (@Afr_Idiome) July 20, 2016
@ivorprice Wel gedaan Ivor. Jy is ‘n man met integriteit. Sterkte met die volgende hoofstuk van jou loopbaan.
— André Haupt (@ahaupt) July 20, 2016
Ek sukkel om my ’n oggend, wat begin met “Goeie more, ek is Ivor Price”, te verbeel. @ivorprice Groot respek vir jou!
— Carlin van Zyl (@Carlinvz) July 20, 2016
@ivorprice @Netwerk24 jy is n ongelooflike goeie aanbieder. Gaan jou baie mis. Nou kan jy so n rukkie rus
— stoney steenbergen (@hwsteenbergen) July 20, 2016
The good news is, Price has now been hired by Media24, which owns sites such as News24 and will now be working for the company.