Marikana: SABC must air "Miners Shot Down"

24 November 2015

The DA congratulates "Miners Shot Down" filmmaker Rehad Desai and his team for winning the prestigious International Emmy Award for Best Documentary.

In joining South Africa in celebration of this phenomenal achievement, the public broadcaster, the SABC should air the documentary in order to give South Africans the opportunity to see it.

"Miners Shot Down" tells the story of the Marikana massacre from the perspective of the miners shedding light on this tragic event. Despite repeated requests from both the filmmakers and widows of the Marikana miners, the SABC has refused to air it. The unwillingness of SABC to air the documentary raises serious questions about whose interests they are trying to protect.

The DA has requested for the SABC board and the Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi to appear before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications to account for the suspension of its CEO, Frans Matlala. The Chairperson of the committee, Joyce Moloi-Moropa has in the media indicated that the board and the Minister will be summoned to Parliament. When the Minister and the board appear before the Committee, the DA will also raise the issue of "Miners Shot Down" and push for it to be aired.

The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences annual International Emmy Awards recognise excellence in television, and honours the best in international television programming and production.

All South Africans, should be proud of "Miners Shot Down" including the public broadcaster. It is unacceptable that the public has been denied the opportunity to see this world-class documentary because it tells the story of the Marikana massacre from the perspective of the miners and critical of the ANC government's role in the massacre.

The SABC forgets that its mandate is to broadcast content that is in the public interest, and not in the ANC's interest.

Not only should the SABC be at the forefront in supporting and broadcasting excellent South African productions, its Charter enjoins it to broadcast content that displays South African talent in education and entertainment programmes and offers a plurality of views.

The DA will continue pushing for this important, world-class documentary to be aired on SABC.

Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme MP, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, 24 November 2015