MK Party Challenges SABC’s Use of 'Government of National Unity' in Urgent High Court Bid

• The MKP has filed urgent papers in the High Court of Johannesburg to challenge the SABC’s use of the term “Government of National Unity"
• The party claimed the term is unconstitutional and misleading
• Jacob Zuma argued that the term does not reflect the current political arrangement and misleads the public

Reitumetse Makwea, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Pretoria, South Africa, has covered local elections, policy changes, the State of the Nation Address and political news at The Citizen and Rekord Noweto for over five years.

uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) wants the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to stop using the term “Government of National Unity” (GNU).

The party initiated urgent legal proceedings against the SABC in the High Court of Johannesburg.

The MK Party contends that the term's use is unconstitutional and misleading.

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The party filed court papers challenging the SABC

Jacob Zuma, the leader of the MKP, filed the court papers, asserting that millions of South Africans depend on the SABC as their primary news source.

According to SABC News, in his affidavit, Zuma argued that the current political arrangement in South Africa does not align with the definitional elements of a GNU.

He also claimed that the SABC's use of the term "deliberately misleads the public," creating a false impression of the country's political reality.

“The term ‘Government of National Unity’ implies a coalition representing a wide array of political parties working together for the common good."

However, Zuma argued this was not the case in the country's current government structure.

He emphasises the potential harm of this alleged misinformation on the public’s understanding of their government.

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SABC argues challenge has no merit

In response to the MKP’s cease and desist letter, the SABC described the allegations as “untenable.”

The public broadcaster highlighted that there are established procedures for lodging complaints regarding its content.

The SABC’s statement labelled the MK Party’s legal action as “meritless and an irregular step.”

The SABC maintains that its terminology accurately reflects the political collaborations within the government, rejecting the claim that it misleads the public.

The broadcaster has committed to defending its editorial choices in court.

The High Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming weeks, with both parties preparing to present their arguments.

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Source: Briefly News