The Broadcasting‚ Electronic‚ Media & Allied Workers Union (Bemawu) trade union says it is shocked after the State Security Agency (SSA) ordered a SABC staffer to undergo a polygraph test "to finalise your vetting process".
In a strongly-worded rebuke, Bemawu says "our members do not consent to polygraph testing" and that "SABC employees did not apply for jobs as spies or government agents".
It comes after a State Security Agency staffer ordered a SABC staffer working in the South African public broadcaster's procurement division to choose a date for a lie detector test.
Bemawu in a letter told the SABC to refuse the SSA to conduct lie detector tests.
"SABC employees did not apply for jobs as spies or government agents. They are employees at the SABC‚ dealing with procurement and broadcasting‚" says Hannes du Buisson, Bemawu spokesperson.
"Why is it necessary for the State Security Agency to conduct polygraph testing on SABC employees? Our members do not consent to polygraph testing".
In a letter a SSA staffer orders the SABC worker to choose a lie detector test date.
"I want to sensitize you regarding your outstanding polygraph examination. I will be responsible for your polygraph examination".
"We need to make arrangements for your polygraph examinations to be conducted to finalise your vetting process".
The SABC staffer is told topick a date: "As you can see I have 11 spaces and I have 11 members".
