Ex-trufm boss fights for reinstatement

Axed trufm station manager Thobeka Buswana is embroiled in a bitter fight with the SABC to get her job back at the Bhisho youth radio station.

The Duncan Village-born Buswana has taken the public broadcaster to the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) over unfair dismissal.

The CCMA fight comes seven weeks after Buswana was fired by acting SABC Eastern Cape general manager Phumzile Mnci for misconduct on October 26.

Buswana is believed to have been axed for an allegedly unauthorised 10-day trip to the National Arts Festival in

Makhanda held between June and July.

The Daily Dispatch understands that Buswana argues in the CCMA submissions that the trip was approved by SABC group executive for corporate affairs Hosea Jiyane and later authorised by Mnci, who fired her.

Buswana would only confirm the CCMA case but would not be drawn into comment.

She referred the Daily Dispatch to her union, the Broadcasting, Electronics, Media and Allied Worker’s Union (Bemawu).

Bemawu spokesperson Hannes du Buisson could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.

SABC remained firm on the decision to sack Buswana and argued that the move was above board.

In an emailed response to the Dispatch, SABC spokesperson Neo Momudu said: “The SABC complied with all the requirements of applicable labour legislation and HR policies, in the disciplinary process that led to Ms Buswana’s dismissal.”

The SABC complied with all the requirements of applicable labour legislation and HR policies