SABC’s office in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. Picture: Michel Bega The SABC has slapped a senior political journalist fired for allegedly being drunk at work with a letter to “cease and desist” from making defamatory statements about unethical conduct and corruption against the state broadcaster and employees. He claimed the head of news and editorial, Deidre Uren, was colluding with Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) head William Baloyi to position their “puppet” to head the SABC News Special Projects as part of the alleged plot to undermine the ANC, MKP and the EFF in favour of the DA, ahead of next year’s local government elections.
Another editorial staffer alleged Ikaneng had a long-standing drinking problem and claimed it was not the first time he was in trouble for drinking on the job. “He was demoted from the presidential team to the special projects unit after he was found drunk. Less than two years down the line, he is in trouble for the same behaviour again,” the staffer said.
The SABC further demanded that he provides confirmation the posts have been removed and make a written undertaking that he will cease and desist from making any future false, defamatory and disparaging remarks about the SABC, or its employees. Kasipershad-Pillay also demanded a written retraction and apology to the SABC. Ikaneng confirmed he was fired for being drunk at work but insisted he was actually fired for being outspoken on nepotism.
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