This is a complaint that the Broadcaster contravened Clauses 12(1), 12(2) and 13(2) of the Code of Conduct in a programme called “Speak Out”. The Complainant averred that the facts were not true as Ms Mkhize paid R286 000.00 to Lancer Trading 1022 CC t/a Mobile Trailer Solutions and not to the first or second complainant. The two Complainants argued further that they were not given any reasonable right to reply. The Tribunal found that the Broadcaster was not in violation of Clause 12(1) as there was a public interest in the broadcast. Ms Mkhize had used public funds to pay the first Complainant who acted on behalf of Lancer 1022 CC t/a Mobile Trailer Solutions. There was also a large number of complaints by the public on hellopeter.com against the first Complainant. Clause 12(2) was also not violated as the SABC had merely broadcast Ms Mkhize’s opinion on the facts. Ms Mkhize had dealt with the first and second Complainant who acted on behalf of Lancer 1022 CC t/a Mobile Trailer Solutions. The two Complainants were also given a reasonable right to reply to allegations made in the broadcast. The first Complainant was running away when confronted by the programme host and the second Complainant was called a week before the broadcast but refused to take the opportunity to reply.
