During the course of a murder trial the mother of a girl who had allegedly been raped and murdered 
by the accused, told a reporter that the accused had lied when he said that he had not known the girl who was allegedly raped and murdered. This opinion was published in a news bulletin by the Respondent broadcaster after it was reported that the accused had testified that the women whom he was accused of raping were not known to him.
The Tribunal held that it was not fair in terms of the news clause of the Broadcasting Code to have published the view of the mother. This inclusion led to an unfair rendition of the trial of the accused.
The Tribunal held that the breach was a serious one. Court reporting requires high standards. Since the breach stemmed from a bona fide error and the broadcaster had a nigh unblemished record, a fine of R20 000 was imposed. The maximum fine is R60 000.