UPDATE: SABC journalists hearing postponed
JOBURG - The SABC have allegedly locked their doors and are not allowing journalists out of the offices in Auckland Park.
Journalists waited patiently outside the buildings for the disciplinary hearings of the suspended journalists to be over. Recent reports say the hearing has now been postponed to next week.
Legal reps have said that hearing has been postponed until next week @NewsNMT #SABCcensorship #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/ADB1djQeeD
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) July 1, 2016
The disciplinary hearing was held for six journalists, three who have been suspended and three have received an intention of suspension. All six were given less than 48 hours to prepare for the hearing.
According to the Labour Regulations Act (LRA), a reasonable amount of time must be given to prepare for a disciplinary hearing and 48 hours is considered insufficient.
Many continue to rally to the cause, including Karina Brown, editor at Independent Newspapers, Zwelinzima Vavi, the ex-General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and children.
Vavi says workers have been censored by the dictator Hlaudi @NewsNMT #SABC pic.twitter.com/qWAA68acEX
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) July 1, 2016
Editors of various media groups and Vavi are speaking out against Hlaudi Motsoeneng, chief operating officer of SABC.
JMPD is on scene protecting those who are part of the protest and directing traffic. The crowd shouted for the journalists to be reinstated and wants the doors of the SABC to be opened. Others have asked not to be photographed or filmed as they could lose their jobs for participating in the protest.
The protesters are chanting 'reinstate them', '#NoTomorrow @NewsNMT pic.twitter.com/KXuHxIPz6L
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) July 1, 2016
At this time the crowd still intends to march to Constitution Hill.
Protesters getting ready to march to Constitutional Court @NewsNMT #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/pXOG2gj1qm
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) July 1, 2016
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WATCH: Journalists protest against SABC censorship