The new CEO of the SABC, James Aguma, has made thoughts very clear concerning the Solidarity #SABC4 and the broadcaster’s refusal to allow them back to work.
Aguma tweeted on Wednesday morning that defending the integrity and legacy of the SABC is sacrosanct.
Defending the integrity & legacy of this great institution is sacrosanct. A leadership duty sadly not negotiable.
— JamesAguma (@james_aguma) July 27, 2016
This comes after the public broadcaster refused Suna Venter, Krivani Pillay, Foeta Krige and Jacques Steenkamp back to work this morning, despite the order from the Labour Court that they be reinstated with immediate effect.
The SABC will be appealing the court’s judgement.
Yesterday, shortly after the Labour Court delivered its judgement on the matter, Aguma tweeted this, which was probably an indication of what was to come this morning.
What needs to be done, will be done, regardless. How I wish there was another way.
— JamesAguma (@james_aguma) July 26, 2016
By 11am, the journalists were still outside the SABC buildings and were not allowed to enter their respective offices.
#SABC4 still hanging around after they were prohibited from going back to work. pic.twitter.com/DcSmwh2iP9
— Zikhona Tshona (@ZikhonaTshona) July 27, 2016
Meanwhile, Solidarity will be filing papers to the court to force the SABC to allow the four to work, pending its appeal.