Lawyers for South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) and the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) have written to the chair of the SABC’s disciplinary action against Phathiswa Magopeni, the public broadcaster’s head of news, Advocate Nazeer Cassim, to ask that the media be allowed to attend the proceedings.

Magopeni has been charged with negligence and bringing the SABC into disrepute after the broadcaster ran an episode of its investigative programme Special Assignment in contravention of a court order.

In a formal grievance, Magopeni argued that she is being held to account for a decision that was not hers, as it was made four levels below her.