EFF leader Julius Malema (CC image courtesy of Gary van der Merwe)
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has ruled against a complaint by political party the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) illegally refused to flight one of its adverts, while upholding a complaint by the South African Police service (SAPS) against a Democratic Alliance (DA) advert.
HumanIPO reported last week the SABC refused to air a political broadcast by the EFF on the grounds the advertisement allegedly incites violence by urging viewers to “destroy e-tolls physically”, with the EFF claiming the SABC’s action was illegal and lodging a complaint with ICASA over the dispute. A hearing began on Friday.
“The CCC (Complaints and Compliance Committee) ruled that the [advert] may be perceived as condoning or lending support to unlawful acts, in that, it talks about destroying e-tolls which would be perceived as damage to property,” ICASA spokesman Paseka Maleka said, as reported by the South African Press Association (SAPA).
In a statement, the EFF said it did not accept the ruling the ruling and would march to the SABC offices in protest tomorrow.
“ICASA by its ruling has confirmed that it is working together with all undemocratic interest groups that imposed e-tolls on the people of Gauteng,” spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.
“These interest groups do not want e-tolls to be on top of the agenda for the elections out of fear of costing the ANC votes.”
Terry Motau for SABC had asked the committee to dismiss the complaint both for being late and on the merits of his case.
HumanIPO reported last week a similar dispute has been ongoing between rival party the DA and the SABC, following the withdrawal of DA political advertisements which the DA claims amounts to censorship.
The complaint by the DA was being heard by ICASA’s CCC, however the hearing was suspended as the SABC decided to seek a new legal team, with the contested ads being reinstated in the interim.
However, in a case brought by SAPS against the DA claiming the advert could incite violence against police, the CC ruled in favour of the police service.
The advert involves DA Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane saying “the police are killing our people” accompanied by a photo of a police officer firing rubber bullets at two unarmed people.
“The election period tends to bring about a lot of volatility. The police should not be seen as a threat to the community,” CCC chairman Wandile Tutani said.
“The offending part of the advert [must] be excised. That is our decision.”
The DA said the party would take the decision to the High Court.
“We believe that the CCC has presented a fundamentally biased and incorrect decision that amounts to censorship,” said leader Helen Zille.
”It is clear their decision is nothing but an attempt to disrupt the DA’s election campaign to protect the ANC.”
