SAfm Apologises After BCCSA Ruling On Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma Interview
SAFM has apologised after the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) found that the station breached the broadcasting code by airing unverified claims made by March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.
The claims were made during a 3 June interview on The National Pulse, hosted by Ashraf Garda, which gave Jacinta a right of reply after GroundUp deputy editor Daniel Steyn disputed claims previously made by the movement.
Jacinta alleged, among other things, that foreign nationals were responsible for 60% of serious crime in Gauteng and that foreign-funded organisations were buying arms. She also claimed explosives were entering the country, foreign military bases were operating in South Africa, and migrants were paying police to avoid prosecution.
BCCSA commissioner Advocate Ben Winks upheld a complaint by social justice activist Christopher Rutledge, finding that the allegations were not clearly presented as opinion and were not adequately challenged or supported by evidence.
Winks said the claims were serious and could expose immigrants to contempt, discrimination, and displacement, particularly ahead of elections. The SABC was ordered to broadcast a summary of the ruling and an apology in the same timeslot.
The SABC accepted responsibility and said it would strengthen editorial safeguards for high-risk current affairs discussions.