The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has given the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and its leader, Jacob Zuma, permission to appeal a previous court decision. The case concerns the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) use of the term “government of national unity” (GNU).
Zuma and the MK Party had initially taken the SABC to the Johannesburg High Court. They argued that the broadcaster’s use of the term was misleading and violated the constitutional right to freedom of expression by spreading inaccurate information.
In January, the High Court dismissed their application, calling it “mischievous” and without legal foundation. The judge stated it was not a constitutional matter but a debate over political terminology. The court dismissed the case and ordered Zuma and the party to pay costs.
After the High Court also denied their request to appeal, Zuma and the MK Party took the matter to the SCA. On August 28, the SCA granted them leave to appeal and set aside the earlier cost order.
In their appeal papers, Zuma and the MK Party argued that the High Court judge did not address the core constitutional issues they raised. They maintain that the SABC’s use of “GNU” is false and politically biased.
They emphasized the SABC’s unique role as a public broadcaster, stating that millions of South Africans rely on it as their primary news source and have a right to receive accurate and impartial information.
The case will now proceed to the Supreme Court of Appeal for a hearing.