Former SABC executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng and Simon Tebele have lost their application for leave to appeal at the Johannesburg labour court. Judge van Niekerk dismissed the application with costs.
The pair will be personally liable for the legal costs of eight SABC journalists who were unlawfully dismissed.
The court had earlier ruled that the former COO and acting head of news split the legal costs incurred,
after the journalists were fired from the public broadcaster. They were dismissed last year after they raised questions about the SABC’s editorial policy and for speaking out against censoring violent protests.
Union BEMAWU has welcomed the decision saying it sends a strong message that executives must not act like they are above the law.
Meanwhile, Motsoeneng says he will consult his lawyers. He will be back in court with the broadcaster over his pension monies.
