CCMA orders SABC to backpay two senior staffers a 10-month salary's worth of what the public broadcaster paid a regional editor who got the job in an irregular appointment without a journalism qualification and after failing a vetting process.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has ordered the SABC to backpay two senior staffers at the South African public broadcaster who must each get a 10-month salary's worth of what the SABC paid a regional SABC editor in Limpopo after the CCMA found that the SABC irregularly awarded the job to someone without any journalism qualification and who also failed a vetting process.

The SABC appointed Jubie Matlou without the necessary qualifications, with Piet Shai, CCMA commissioner, who found that the SABC had committed unfair labour practice and that the SABC failed to finalise the grievance interview within 6 weeks.

The Sowetan in the past week first reported the ruling of the CCMA case. It comes after both Sello Sam Mochichila, a current affair producer at the SABC's Thobela FM radio station, and Rudzani Bologo an assignment editor at the SABC's Munghana Lonone FM radio station, both applied for the position in 2017 but got overlooked.

Both went to the CCMA.

Jubie Matlou explained to the CCMA that he had a degree in communication, but said that it included journalism. The SABC told the CCMA that there "was nothing that prevented it to appoint Matlou" and that the SABC was "of the view that it followed its own policy and procedure".

Piet Shai states in his ruling said "I order the SABC to pay compensation to the applicants of a sum equivalent to Matlou's 10 months wages calculated at the latter's rate at the time of his appointment. The above amount shall be paid on 30 April 2019".

Piet Shai found that "the way the SABC dealt with his appointment gives the impression that the position was reserved for him regardless".

On Sunday CityPress reported that after the position was advertised externally, the SABC news and current affairs HR manager Mannie Alho in October 2017 wrote to Kenneth Makatees, the SABC group executive for news at the time, about the reason for advertising externally after a delay in making the appointment.

Mannie Alho wrote that "complications had arisen due to both external and internal political interference and also the panel's view that the internal candidates lacked equal experience and skills for both TV and radio news production and broadcasting".

It's not clear who was behind the "external and internal political interference" at the SABC alluded to in the letter.

Vuyo Mthembu, SABC spokesperson told CityPress that the SABC is "currently perusing the award and a decision on the way forward will be taken within the prescribed time period. The SABC will not engage on the content of the matter while it is still considering its options".

BREAKING. TopTV doesn't talk at its own regulatory public hearing today convened to hear submissions on TopTV porn package application.

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TopTV chose not to talk at all at its own public hearing today at the Sandton office of South Africa's broadcasting regulator.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) was listening to submissions made in TopTV's application to start broadcasting hardcore pornographic TV channels in South Africa as a new and separate adult bouquet of 3 channels.

TopTV wants to start a new porno package of the Adult XXX, Private Spice and Playboy Europe channels at an additional subscription of R199 per month.

The public hearing today at Icasa into TopTV's ''application for authorisation of channels'' which started at 10:00, lasted just over two hours.

The public hearing for channel authorisation drew the most attendees the regulator has ever had for what is usually a mundane and routine process after a pay TV operator applies for permission to broadcast a new TV channel.

The hot button issue drew several individuals, as well as groups who made oral representations. Interestingly TopTV was present, but didn't speak at the public hearing which was convened as the result of TopTV's application in the first place. TopTV did however previously hand in written documentation for the application for channel authorisation.

''TopTV was present but made no oral submissions,'' Jubie Matlou, Icasa's senior communications manager told TV with Thinus.

Groups and organisations who were present, and who did talk to give their view and opinion on TopTV's porn plans were the Christian Action Network, the Film and Publication Board (FPB) which said that it will strongly opposing TopTV's plans, and the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI).

Several individuals who made submissions after the Government Gazette published the pay TV operator's application on 17 November and called for a public response, also gave oral submissions in their individual capacity.

''Icasa is going to deliberate now on whether TopTV is given authorisation to start the channels,'' said Jubie Matlou. ''Icasa will make a decision by the latest 31 January. An answer could come 2 days before; maybe a week before the end of the month, but we must and we will make a decision as soon as possible on the matter'' he says.