/ 25 June 2009

Judgement on SABC strike reserved

Judgement on a potential strike by SABC employees was reserved until July 3. Judge Irene Nyathela said she would need time to consider all arguments.

Judgement on a potential strike by SABC employees was reserved until July 3 on Thursday.

Judge Irene Nyathela said she would need time to consider all arguments.

She also extended the order preventing unions from organising a strike.

The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) and the Media Workers’ Association of South Africa were granted permission to strike by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on June 19 over a pay dispute and the crisis at the broadcaster.

Meanwhile, two more SABC board members resigned, leaving one last member standing, SABC news reported on Wednesday.

Alison Gillwald remains the last member of the board, after Gloria Serobe and Khanyisiwe Mkonza stepped down.

Businesswoman Serobe announced her resignation from the board during a parliamentary committee inquiry on Wednesday.

”From the end of September I will not be in a position to perform any of my duties,” Serobe told the committee, which was attended by Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda.

”At 50, I am sure I can still do more somewhere else.”

At the inquiry, Gillwald insisted: ”There is nothing to resign from. The board can’t function. What do I achieve by resigning?”

Board members are required to serve a three-month notice period after their resignations.

The inquiry into the SABC, which is asking for a R2-billion bailout from the government, wrapped up on Wednesday morning.

One of the board’s former members, Andile Mbeki, appealed for the portfolio committee on communications to dissolve the board with immediate effect. – Sapa