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The SABC board plans to challenge an instruction from Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Labor Minister Thulas Nxesi to halt their downsizing process.
The state broadcaster will continue its downsizing process that will affect 400 workers next year in an effort to save costs.
Earlier this week, the two ministers told the SABC to halt the job cuts and seek other solutions to improve the financial situation at the public broadcaster.
Talking to the city pressHowever, the SABC board said that Ndabeni-Abrahams did not offer alternative solutions and emphasized that he cannot pay his wages if he does not take action.
“As it is, the SABC cannot afford to pay wages beyond March if it fails to cut 400 workers,” the board said.
“As members of the board, we have to make decisions that are in the best interest of SABC or we could face action for failure to exercise our fiduciary duties. Forget about politicians and their instructions. “
This means that unless another government bailout is received, the SABC will be forced to continue with the planned cuts.
The latest SABC bailout was awarded on the condition that SABC implements cost-cutting measures, which it is now doing by cutting up to 400 employees.
Fight for job cuts
Unions have sparked protests in reaction to news of layoffs, threatening blackouts at the state broadcaster and organizing strike action.
The unions also plan to combat layoffs in labor courts, arguing that the problems at SABC do not stem from their staff.
Solidaridad Sindicato echoed this sentiment, demanding that SABC presenters and other innocent employees be left alone and that looters and corrupt people be prosecuted and fired.
“With irregular spending of more than 5 billion rand still pending forgiveness, or subject to further investigation, it is reckless and ruthless to downsize staff without further ado, while the corrupt get away with it,” said the CEO of Solidarity, Dirk Hermann. .
While work cuts out were initially destined to be implemented last week, they have since been suspended until the end of December.
“The SABC and participating parties will use this time for more mediated sessions with an independent labor expert to explore alternative options to minimize the impact of layoffs,” SABC said.
The dismissal letters issued will also be extended for the same period, he said, noting that the Section 189 process has not been completed.
The SABC and the unions have met many times over the past four months to try to find solutions to the problem, but the board has said that these layoffs are the only sustainable solution.
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