South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) editorial staff are having their phones tapped by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), according to a report.
The Mail & Guardian reports SABC staff members were told to stop leaks by the company’s chairperson, Ellen Zandile Tshabalala, reminding them the television provider is a national key point.
Tshabalala allegedly made it clear to staff members their phones were being monitored.
The National Key Point Act was created under South Africa’s apartheid government, allowing government officials to impose security requirements on an institution or place.
Tshabalala made the comments in a meeting with editorial staff at the beginning of the year.
Broadcasting, Electronics, Media and Allied Workers’ Union (BEMAWU) president Hannes du Buisson is quoted as saying: “Bemawu had a complaint from a member that the chairperson of the board said in a meeting that they should be careful who they talk to because their phones may be listened in to by the NIA.
“If this is true, we would be very concerned as it would be illegal to do so,” he said.
“Basically she was saying that we must toe the line… and that we must respect the ruling party. She said your phones are being listened to… because the SABC is a national key point,” an SABC staff member told the Mail & Guardian.
However, Tshabalala said she was taken out of context and has directed any enquiries to SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
“As the organisation, we have a problem of leaks and we must protect our organisation because we are a national key point… maybe those who leak felt that they were being monitored,” said Kganyago.
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