The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest reports of the decision by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to scrap Face the Nation, allegedly following complaints from African National Congress (ANC) and government officials.
This development is not an isolated incident. It is part of a long and disturbing pattern of political interference, censorship, and manipulation of the public broadcaster to suppress dissenting voices and shield those in power from accountability.
A LONG AND WELL-DOCUMENTED PATTERN
South Africans have seen this before, repeatedly.
During the era of state capture, under the disgraced leadership of Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC became synonymous with censorship and political control:
• A ban on broadcasting protest footage, silencing workers and communities in struggle
• The victimisation and purging of journalists, including the courageous “SABC 8”
• Editorial interference designed to protect the executive and suppress criticism
But even beyond that period, the pattern has continued:
• The sidelining and eventual departure of respected journalists such as Vuyo Mvoko amid allegations that critical editorial voices were being marginalised
• The removal of hard-hitting current affairs platforms, including the Editors’ Roundtable / Sunday morning current affairs programming on SABC radio, which had provided space for robust and critical debate
• The steady weakening of investigative and current affairs programming in favour of safer, less confrontational content
These are not coincidences. They are part of a systemic problem: a public broadcaster that remains vulnerable to political pressure and interference.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED ONLY THE METHODS
The scrapping of Face the Nation and the targeting of Clement Manyathela follow the same logic:
• Punish journalists who ask difficult questions
• Remove platforms that hold power accountable
• Send a chilling message across newsrooms: toe the line or face consequences
Censorship today is often more subtle not always outright bans, but strategic removals, programme cancellations, and editorial pressure behind closed doors.
A PUBLIC BROADCASTER UNDER POLITICAL CAPTURE
The SABC is not, and must never become, a communications arm of the ruling party.
Yet, what we are witnessing is:
• The political capture of the public broadcaster
• The erosion of editorial independence
• The narrowing of democratic space for critical engagement
This is a direct betrayal of the SABC’s constitutional mandate to serve the public not politicians.
SAFTU DEMANDS
SAFTU calls for:
1. Full transparency on the decision to scrap Face the Nation
2. An independent investigation into political interference at the SABC
3. The protection of journalists and producers from intimidation and retaliation
4. The restoration and strengthening of critical current affairs programming
5. A renewed Save SABC Campaign, uniting workers, journalists, and communities to defend the broadcaster
DEFENDING MEDIA FREEDOM IS DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
From the banning of protest footage, to the purging of journalists, to the removal of critical programmes the pattern is undeniable.
If left unchallenged, this trajectory will reduce the SABC into a state broadcaster in practice, if not in name.
SAFTU stands firmly with all those who refuse to be silenced. We will not accept a broadcaster that fears power instead of confronting it.
The struggle to defend the SABC is part of the broader struggle to defend democracy itself.
A statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU by the General Secretary, Zwelinzima.
Vavi.
For media inquiries, contact the National Spokesperson at
Newton Masuku
newtonm@saftu.org.za
0661682157
Media Officer
Asive Dyani
0719019564
