BEMAWU, the trade union representing two of the SABC 8 journalists, is hoping to appear with Solidarity in the Labour Court tomorrow.

BEMAWU is representing Lukhanyo Calata and Busisiwe Ntuli, who were dismissed by the SABC without having gone through any disciplinary hearing.

Solidarity and the four journalists it’s representing, Krivani Pillay, Suna Venter, Jacques Steenkamp and Foeta Krige, appeared before the Labour Court against the SABC today, demanding the four are immediately reinstated.

The hearing was postponed to tomorrow at 12:30pm as a result of the SABC’s legal team not being prepared.

Ntuli and another SABC 8 journalist, Thandeka Gqubule, were at the Labour Court to show support for their colleagues today

On Tuesday, BEMAWU told htxt.africa that it would also approach the Labour Court to apply for an interdict to reverse the dismissals of Calata and Ntuli.

BEMAWU spokesperson Hannes du Buisson told us today that the union was working to process its application papers so it could join Solidarity in court tomorrow.

“Our members were never suspended, initially Solidarity brought forward a suspension dispute and had to amend it when the journalists were dismissed, so it already had a foot in the door prior to the dismissals,” du Buisson.

“We’re waiting for our lawyers to confirm whether or not we’ll be able to join in tomorrow’s proceedings, but if not tomorrow, I’m told that by Monday latest we will be in court,” he added.

SABC delaying tactics unacceptable

On today’s hearing, du Buisson said the SABC is notorious for delaying matters such as this one where public funds are footing its bill.

“Management is not personally paying for this and therefore it is being used as an attempt to make it even costlier for the journalists to keep going to court. It’s unacceptable in an organisation the size of the SABC to say that it’s management couldn’t communicate with its legal team prior to the hearing,” he added.

“When you fire so many people without a hearing, then you should expect that there will be a reaction to that and must prepare for it, you can’t just simply not be there. That’s indicative of how bad the situation really is at the SABC if no management is available in matters like that.”

du Buisson concluded that, just like Solidarity, it’s main aim behind approaching the court is to have Calata and Ntuli immediately and unconditionally reinstated so that they are no longer financially disadvantaged.