MK Party takes SABC to Court over the use of the term “GNU”

Former president Jacob Zuma and the MK Party have filed an urgent court application seeking to stop the SABC from referring to the seventh administration as a government of national unity (GNU) across its platforms.

In documents submitted to the Johannesburg High Court, Zuma argues that the SABC, being a state organ, should not echo the ANC’s characterization of the seventh administration as a GNU.

“The main issue in this application is the SABC’s adoption of a politically biased and inaccurate portrayal of the current political situation,” the court documents state. “As an entity bound by the constitution, the SABC should uphold specific standards in fulfilling its public duties, which should not be influenced by any political party.”

Zuma also criticizes the SABC for continuing to use this term despite receiving expert advice against it, leading him to take legal action.

“The SABC’s unique role within our constitutional and regulatory framework requires it to be distinct from other institutions or actors,” he highlights in the court filings. “The ongoing use of this misleading term leaves me with no choice but to seek legal intervention.”

The case is scheduled to be heard at the Johannesburg High Court to address the controversial use of the term GNU by the SABC.

“It is therefore no exaggeration to say that a term like GNU which has been topical since its unfortunate and inaccurate employment by the ANC on or about June 6 2024 must have been uttered several millions of times since that date on SABC platforms,” Zuma said in his affidavit.

“If no intervention is made, it will continue to be uttered for more millions of times in the foreseeable future and beyond.

“In short, the SABC is by far the largest single source of news and/or current affairs programming millions for SA citizens like me,” he said.

SABC Group Executive for the News and Current Affais, Moshoeshoe Monare, says the public Broadcaster will defend the legal action brought against it by the MK Party.