South African National Editors Forum v Abbu and Others (Leave to Appeal) (AR131/2021) [2023] ZAKZPHC 163 (6 October 2023)

South African National Editors Forum v Abbu and Others (Leave to Appeal) (AR131/2021) [2023] ZAKZPHC 163 (6 October 2023)

The appeal succeeded because the magistrate misdirected herself by placing the burden on the media applicant to justify extended broadcasting, contrary to the Magistrates’ Commission Guidelines and the Van Breda precedent. The Guidelines provide that certain media activities are automatically permitted unless...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] ZAKZPHC 163
Parties
Appellant: South African National Editors Forum; Respondent: Robert Abbu; Respondent: Sandile Ngcobo; Respondent: Ilanga Lamahlase Projects (Pty) Ltd; Respondent: Mzwandile Dludla; Respondent: Hlenga Sibisi; Respondent: Uzuzinekela Trading 31 CC; Respondent: Zithulele A Mkhize; Respondent: Omphilethababg CC; Respondent: Bongani P Dlomo; Respondent: Khoboso J Dlomo; Respondent: Elshaddai Holdings Group CC; Respondent: Prabagaran Pariah; Respondent: Sinthamone Ponnan; Respondent: Graig Ponnan; Respondent: Mondli Michael Mthembu; Respondent: Zandile Ruth Thelma Gumede; Respondent: Sipho Cyril Nzuza; Respondent: Bagcinele Cynthia Nzuza; Respondent: Umvuyo Holdings CC; Amicus Curiae: Media Monitoring Africa
Court
Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Pietermaritzburg
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Judgment Date
6 October 2023
Case Number
AR131/2021
Procedural Posture
Leave to Appeal / Appeal From Durban Regional Court Decision on Media Access to Criminal Proceedings
Outcome
Appeal upheld; decision and order of the court a quo set aside; correct procedure for media access in Magistrates’ Courts clarified.
Judges
Sibiya, Khan
Legal Topics
Open Justice, Media Access to Courts, Freedom of Expression, Magistrates Commission Guidelines, Burden of Proof in Media Applications
Constitutional Law Civil Procedure Open Justice Media Access to Courts Freedom of Expression Magistrates Commission Guidelines Burden of Proof in Media Applications

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Parties

South African National Editors Forum

Appellant

Robert Abbu

Respondent

Sandile Ngcobo

Respondent

Ilanga Lamahlase Projects (Pty) Ltd

Respondent

Mzwandile Dludla

Respondent

Hlenga Sibisi

Respondent

Uzuzinekela Trading 31 CC

Respondent

Zithulele A Mkhize

Respondent

Omphilethababg CC

Respondent

Bongani P Dlomo

Respondent

Khoboso J Dlomo

Respondent

Elshaddai Holdings Group CC

Respondent

Prabagaran Pariah

Respondent

Sinthamone Ponnan

Respondent

Graig Ponnan

Respondent

Mondli Michael Mthembu

Respondent

Zandile Ruth Thelma Gumede

Respondent

Sipho Cyril Nzuza

Respondent

Bagcinele Cynthia Nzuza

Respondent

Umvuyo Holdings CC

Respondent

Media Monitoring Africa

Amicus Curiae

Procedural Posture

Leave to Appeal / Appeal From Durban Regional Court Decision on Media Access to Criminal Proceedings

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the magistrate erred in placing the onus on the media applicant to justify extended broadcasting of court proceedings.
  2. 2 Whether the Magistrates’ Commission Guidelines apply to pre-trial as well as trial proceedings.
  3. 3 Whether the correct procedure for media access in Magistrates’ Courts was followed.

Ratio Decidendi

The appeal succeeded because the magistrate misdirected herself by placing the burden on the media applicant to justify extended broadcasting, contrary to the Magistrates’ Commission Guidelines and the Van Breda precedent. The Guidelines provide that certain media activities are automatically permitted unless opposed, and for extended coverage, the onus is on the opponent to show demonstrable prejudice. The discretion to allow media access rests with the court hearing the proceedings, and a pre-trial magistrate cannot bind the trial court regarding broadcast rights. The correct procedure is set out in paragraph 50 of the judgment, confirming that media access should be allowed unless real...

Court Disposition

Appeal upheld; decision and order of the court a quo set aside; correct procedure for media access in Magistrates’ Courts clarified.

Orders

  • The appeal against the decision of the regional magistrate is upheld.
  • The decision and order of the court a quo of 8 December 2020 is set aside.