SABC workers to protest

2009-05-25 12:26

Johannesburg - A coalition of television workers will protest next week against the money crisis at the SABC, brought about by its "arrogant" management, it said on Monday.

The Television Industry Emergency Coalition (TVIEC), which claims to represent more than 80% of local content on air, said the public broadcaster owed artists, writers and producers millions of rands.

"The protest has been provoked by the public broadcaster's non-payment of millions of rand to independent producers and the subsequent retrenchments that are occurring throughout the industry," the TVIEC said in a statement.

"A protest date has now been set for June 4, 2009."

Production companies, industry organisations, unions, friends of the industry, soapie stars, actors and technicians were expected to take part in the action.

Deeper issues

The TVIEC said the protest, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg and Cape Town next Thursday, was not only sparked by anger over non-payment, but also by "much deeper and more significant issues".

These included "unfair terms of trade, unsustainable business relationships with the content creators, unfair rights ownership and a deep arrogance manifested in the heavy handed management style the SABC displays".

The coalition said it held several meetings with the SABC in past months but had not received any "credible feedback".

"Crews and cast are without work, production companies are facing closure and viewers are being cheated of quality programming...

"Estimates of up to R58m owed have been made, but it is not possible to confirm this amount as the SABC has been unwilling to reveal the extent of the debt," said the TVIEC.

The SABC is facing a R784m deficit this year. It had been plagued by in-fighting between its axed CEO Dali Mpofu and its former head of news, Snuki Zikalala, while at least three board members resigned since March.

Producers told to stop new production

Beeld newspaper reported on Monday that local producers had received an SMS from the SABC, informing them to stop any new production.

Several newspapers had reported that popular soap operas such as Isidingo and Sewende Laan might be pulled from the air due to non-payment.

The TVIEC said budgets were now lower than they were seven years ago.

"[This] while SABC management take home exorbitant fees and performance bonuses - some bonuses exceed an entire year's production fee for a major daily soap - and enjoy first class air travel, five star hotel suites and lavish entertainment."

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said he was not aware of the TVIEC's planned protest.

"We are finalising a follow-up meeting between them and us. We are trying to find a relevant date for that," he told Sapa.

Meanwhile, the SABC would meet disgruntled unions around noon on Monday to discuss the implementation of salary increases, said Kganyago.

SABC group chief executive Gab Mampone told the Sunday Independent at the weekend that the public broadcaster had requested a R2bn bailout from the government.

- SAPA