The so-called ‘SABC 8’ are asking the Constitutional Court to order Parliament to probe its own decisions around recent events at the public broadcaster, according to a News24 report. The eight journalists, fired and then rehired by the SABC in September following a lengthy Labour Court battle, want the National Assembly to institute an inquiry into the various issues plaguing the broadcaster, including their firings.

In their court papers they say Parliament’s Communications Committee neglected its constitutional duty when it failed to hear the pleas of the journalists to attend a sitting and explain their cases in July. Rather, it opted to conclude that their issues had been ‘resolved’ following a Labour Court ruling that their dismissals be set aside and a statement from then chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng at a committee meeting in August.

‘We submit that conduct of the portfolio committee in this regard amounts to a patent breach of its constitutional obligations,’ the papers read. Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete and Icasa were also listed as respondents. Only the SABC and Mbete had responded, the papers said. Both opposed the application. The SABC came in for criticism in July when it fired Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Krivani Pillay, Thandeka Gqubule, Busisiwe Ntuli, Lukhanyo Calata, Vuyo Mvoko and Jacques Steenkamp for speaking out against the broadcaster's policy not to show footage of violent protests.

Full News24 report