Hlaudi finally gets day in court – Solidarity serves papers for #SABC8 legal costs

Solidarity press statement

Trade union Solidarity will today serve papers on the SABC's former Chief Operating Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, regarding the cost order awarded by Judge Rob le Grange in the Johannesburg Labour Court on 26 July 2016.

Solidarity, which acted on behalf of the unlawfully dismissed SABC Eight journalists in their lawsuit against the SABC, is now approaching the court together with the Broadcasting Electronic Media Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) to hold Motsoeneng accountable for the two trade unions' legal costs in his personal capacity.

According to the Head of Solidarity's Centre for Fair Labour Practices Anton van Der Bijl, Motsoeneng has to carry the can for the decision to terminate the journalists' contracts. "Solidarity is requesting that Motsoeneng gives oral evidence in court. Although Simon Tebele ultimately carried out the instruction to dismiss the journalists, it is argued that Motsoeneng was the person who gave the instruction," Van der Bijl explained.

Van der Bijl said Motsoeneng's action caused the SABC grave embarrassment. "The Labour Court's ruling proves that his decision to dismiss the journalists was unlawful. This case will ensure that he is held accountable," Van der Bijl said.

Tebele will also be added as respondent in the case.