The Herstigte Nasionale Party lodged a complaint about the broadcast of “ID”, a satire on the killing of Dr Verwoerd, broadcast after 22:00 with an age restriction of 16 and a language classification. It was argued that the play broke down the image of Dr. Verwoerd and Afrikaners who supported him. Also that the play was factually incorrect and employed profane language.
The Tribunal held that since the play amounted to a bona fide drama, artistic licence was permitted. What is more, the dignity of a deceased person is not protected in law. In so far as the profane language is concerned, it was held that the likely viewers of this play would be able to tolerate the language within the context and would, generally, be able to distinguish between fact and fiction in the play.
The complaint was dismissed.