ANC WARNS SABC ON JOB CUTS

The ANC this week allegedly warned the SABC that its decision to lay off employees would embarrass the governing party and could cost it votes during local elections next year.

City Press has reliably learnt from various sources that the cash-strapped public broadcaster’s bosses met with party bosses at the ANC’s Luthuli House headquarters and were quizzed about the plan to retrench 600 full-time employees and terminate the contracts of 1 200 freelance staff.

This is the second time in fewer than 24 months that the SABC’s attempt to cut its wage bill is running into political resistance. Last year’s attempt to lay off 981 employees was abandoned after massive criticism from labour and governing party figures.

Earlier this year, the SABC got a government bailout with the condition to cut costs, but