CAPE TOWN, July 19 (ANA) – SABC parliamentary correspondent Lukhanyo Calata, the son of anti-apartheid struggle hero Fort Calata, has become the latest journalist to be fired from the public broadcaster in apparent reprisal for opposing editorial policy.
In the letter dated July 18 but circulated on Twitter on Tuesday, SABC acting general manager for TV News Gathering, Nyana Molete, writes that Calata and the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media, and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) did not provide an adequate response to management charges raised against him.
"It is common cause that you have made it known to the SABC that you will continue to disrespect the SABC, your employer," wrote Molete.
"It has now become clear to the SABC that you have no intention to refrain from your conduct of undermining the SABC and the authority of its management."
Molete called Calata’s continued conduct "intolerable" and said he had been dismissed with immediate effect. Molete than referenced Lukhanyo’s right to approach the CCMA should he not be "satisfied with the decision".
Molete appeared to refer to Calata’s decision to give an interview in which he strongly objected to the SABC’s refusal to televise violent protests and to directives to the parliamentary bureau’s news coverage.
Calata went public with his concerns on the 31st anniversary of the disappearance of the Cradock Four, the group of anti-apartheid activists which included his father.
Calata is one of at least six SABC journalists who have been fired for speaking out against the policy guidelines laid down by contested chief operations officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, that have been widely denounced as censorship reminiscent of the apartheid regime. The others are Busisiwe Ntuli, Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Krivani Pillay, and Jacques Steenkamp. Another outspoken journalist, Vuyo Mvoko, had his freelance contract with the corporation terminated.
Calata could not immediately be reached for comment.
The SABC failed to respond to inquiries.
– African News Agency (ANA)
