According to a report by the Star Newspaper, the documentary, titled “Project Spear” and created by freelance journalist and filmmaker Sylvia Vollenhoven, contains claims suggesting the government’s inaction regarding the recovery of billions of rand.
The money was allegedly misappropriated by politicians, bankers and officials during the apartheid regime. The SABC reportedly commissioned the documentary in 2011.
Project Spear would have formed part of a series titled “Truth be Told”.
The SABC approached the High Court in Johannesburg to obtain specific material, which the broadcaster owns copyright to, in an attempt to stop the documentary being screened or broadcast at all.
The Noseweek magazine, which carried the story initially and Vollenhoven and Appollis Independent are the respondents in the case.
Vollenhoven tweeted:
The SABC has issued a summons and intends to sue me, my company, Martin Welz the Noseweek Ed and his compaqny.... http://t.co/DJzYOXYfkq
— Sylvia Vollenhoven (@Vollenhoven2) July 11, 2013
I literally have days to remove all traces of Project Spear, including photos, from the public domain... The SABC... http://t.co/3LdoppfbWB
— Sylvia Vollenhoven (@Vollenhoven2) July 11, 2013