The Media Workers Association of South Africa (Mwasa) says it wants a hearing with Parliament’s Communications Portfolio Committee to discuss major changes on radio station SAfm.
The SABC appeared before the committee about two weeks ago and defended changes on SAfm. These include head-hunting presenters from other stations to boost the station audience, among others.
The union maintains that the SABC can ill-afford the changes.
Mwasa General Secretary Tuwani Gumani says there was no proper consultation with all stakeholders.
“The SABC was defending the decision taken at SAfm. Now we hear very recently as well that the same COO has now distanced himself from a decision he defended very firmly in Parliament. So what we have done is asked for a meeting with the portfolio committee on communications and to have a debate with the SABC. But what we are calling for the SABC to consult its staff, its staff representatives and consult the public.”
Meanwhile, the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media & Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) says they will take legal action against the SABC if it does not halt impending changes at SAfm without proper consultations.
BEMAWU’s Hannes Du Buisson says, “We had a meeting with the COO last week. There seems to be a reluctance on the SABC’s side to consult on these issues. We are busy drafting a letter to the SABC which will be sent off to them again. They will be put on terms and if they will not stop these changes, we will then consider taking legal action against the SABC to stop the unilateral changes that is happening.”
