The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is deeply outraged by the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) latest attempt to implement a Section 189 retrenchment process without complying with the basic legal requirements set out in the Labour Relations Act (LRA).

We have become aware that the SABC, on 12 August 2025, issued a Section 189A notice and directly invited only one union – BEMAWU – to the consultation process through written correspondence. CWU, a recognized and representative union at the SABC, was neither notified in writing nor invited to participate in the consultations as required by law.

This is not only a blatant violation of Section 189 of the LRA, which compels the employer to consult with all recognized trade unions whose members may be affected, but also a deliberate act of exclusion aimed at undermining the voice of thousands of workers represented by CWU. The SABC’s conduct demonstrates bad faith, disregard for fair labour practice, and a complete erosion of trust in the consultation process.

By proceeding in this manner, the SABC is acting in defiance of the principle of joint consensus-seeking that lies at the heart of Section 189. This reckless behaviour jeopardises the livelihoods of workers and erodes the democratic values that the public broadcaster is meant to uphold.

CWU calls on:

1.     The SABC Board to immediately halt the current retrenchment process and remedy this legal and procedural breach.

2.     The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies to urgently intervene to ensure that SABC complies with the law and respects the rights of all recognised unions.

3.     The CCMA to note that the process initiated by SABC is fundamentally flawed from the onset and cannot be allowed to proceed.

We will not stand idle while the SABC selectively engages only certain unions to suit its agenda. CWU is consulting its legal team and will consider all avenues, including urgent legal action, to protect our members from this unlawful and undemocratic process.

The workers of SABC deserve transparency, fairness, and respect – not backdoor deals and procedural ambushes.

Issued by Communication Workers Union

For any further inquiries please do not hesitate to contact the following CWU Officials:Moffat Seutlwadi
Cell: 083 200 8426

Communication Workers Union-National Organiser
Email: moffatsetlwadi2@gmail.com

Thami Mzileni

Cell: 082 710 6022

Email: mrmzileni@gmail.com

Nathen Bowers:

Cell: 081 794 7702

Email: nathenbowers1@gmail.com