Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) Judge Neil Tuchten has dismissed an urgent appeal by the National House of Traditional Leaders to interdict the return of the film Inxeba (The Wound) to cinemas. A News24 report says the application was dismissed with costs. The decision comes after Tuchten had earlier ruled that pending a review application on 28 March, the film could be screened again from 9 March.

The film can now be screened under an 18SNL age restriction.

Tuchten had also ruled that the X rating be removed from the 18 classification with immediate effect, while it awaits affidavits of representation from all affected parties, both pro and opposed to the decision of the Film and Publication Board's Appeal Tribunal.

During the appeal, Tuchten said the public had a right to see a work of this nature. Dario Milo from Webber Wentzel attorneys – who represented the film's producers – said they were pleased with their second victory.

‘In our view this application was an attempt at a prior restraint on speech, dressed up as a complaint that the applicant had not been joined in the application to set aside the Appeal Tribunal's decision,’ Milo said.

He added the law was against prior restraints on speech, and all the more so in this case where the urgent court had already ordered that the film could be screened from 9 March.

Full News24 report