Akani Nkuna
THE Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party is back in the South Gauteng High Court in Joburg for its urgent application first filed in July, seeking to stop the SABC from referring to the 7th administration as a Government of National Unity (GNU), arguing that the term is not a reflection of the truth as the coalition is not inclusive to all parties.
In court papers submitted on Tuesday, the MK party’s spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the 7th administration does not reflect the principles of national unity as some parties including MK party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were not considered to be part of the government.
“SABC is an organ of the state and should not mimic the ANC in referring to the 7th administration as the GNU,” Ndhlela said.
He accused the SABC of being a mouth-piece spreading information which conforms to the narrative of the DA and other newly- appointed allies of the ANC.
Ndhlela said the national broadcaster must uphold its duty to accurately represent political alliances without serving as a mouthpiece for partisan agendas.
He alluded to the comments made by DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille, wherein she acknowledged that the “GNU” was in fact a coalition or partnership between the DA and the ANC rather than a genuine Government of National Unity.
In addition, the MK party has told the court that they require more time to prepare a replying affidavit, in light of the SABC’s filling of an answering affidavit overnight.
The case has been postponed to Thursday, in order to afford more time to the defence.
The MK party’s court application has been criticised by some media experts and commentators.
Director of Media Monitoring Africa, William Bird, characterised this action as an indication of an effort to influence the editorial direction of the SABC.
Former Public Protector and one of former President Jacob Zuma’s harshest critics, Thuli Madonsela said that GNU has thus far not violated the law and as such the MK party’s application has no basis nor a reasonable prospect of success in a court of law.
INSIDE POLITICS
