Repeated violation of the law puts the ANC in company with habitual criminals

11 July 2016

Congress of the People and everyone else that unequivocally condemned Hlaudi’s censorship of footage of violent incidents will now have solid grounds to pursue a court case if the SABC and its puppet masters flout the Icasa ruling, namely, that Haludi’s decision to ban violent protests was in breach of the SABC’s licensing conditions and the Broadcasting Act.

The Broadcasting Act has been transgressed by the SABC. This is an important milestone for all of us fighting the public broadcaster. It is utterly disgraceful that at every turn we and others have to interpret for the ruling party the very laws that the ANC makes and is clueless about.

Hlaudi, of course has no book learning, and therefore interpreting the law is far too complicated for him. He will, for that reason, continuously transgress the law. 

As for the ANC it matters not an iota that both the Public Protector and the High Court, as well, found that Haludi should be suspended. He thus remains in office courtesy of Faith Muthambi and Jacob Zuma. This axis is an evil axis.  

Now that Icasa has made its ruling, COPE demands that all the charges against all employees be withdrawn forthwith in view of the fact that the ground on which the SABC staff stood was legal and correct. They have been fully vindicated.

Furthermore, Congress of the People urges voters to punish the ANC in the forthcoming elections so that it is disabused of the notion that it is above the law. Voters must teach the ANC the importance of upholding the Constitution. For the last seven years it has been busy thrashing the Constitution.

Those who routinely break the law are classified criminals and by that token the ANC belongs in that category also. If criminals rule South Africa, our country will be a den of criminality. Now is the time to reclaim South Africa from those who have no understanding and no value for the rule of law. 

In our view, those who meticulously observe the law and cherish the Constitution are those who should be trusted to maintain law and order. 

COPE will wait for the expiry of the seven days to determine whether the 'axis' will comply with Icasa's finding before deciding its next step.

Issued by Dennis Bloem, COPE Spokesperson, 11 July 2016