The Freedom of Expression Institute is shocked to learn that a shopsteward of the South African Municipal Workers' Union, Olga Manganye, has been threatened with disciplinary action after participating in an actuality programme of the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Ms. Manganye was interviewed on 1 o'clock Live on November 16, 2000. The interview took place to coincide with a strike SAMWU conducted to highlight their opposition to the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council's Igoli 2002 plan. It was clear from the interview that Ms. Manganye was interviewed as an individual, and spoke about her day to day experiences as a worker in the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council.

Apparently, earlier today, Ms. Manganye was told by her Executive Officer, Michelle van Beet, that the Council did not like what she had said in the interview, and that they were seeking a transcript of the broadcast so that disciplinary action could be taken against her. It is alleged that one of the GJMC's top executives, Mr. Pascal Moloi, instructed the Executive Officer to take this step.

The FXI finds these threats to be a clear violation of Ms. Manganye's constitutional right to freedom of expression, and to be nothing less than a bullying tactic to stifle criticism. Public officials need to accept that criticism of their activities come with the territory of government. In fact effective, transparent and clean government will simply not be possible without a free and open airing of problems by workers who are, after all, on the coalface of service delivery. Protecting and promoting the right to criticise, including at shopfloor level, is especially important at the moment, given the fact that South Africa's local government elections are around the corner. Without the sort of information advanced by Ms. Manganye, a rounded assessment of the state of service delivery - including conditions of work of those who deliver the service - will be that much more difficult. What is even more confounding, though, is that Ms. Manganye made it clear that she was speaking in her individual capacity, which should have cleared the way for her to speak freely without fear of recrimination. The alleged threat is bound to create a climate of fear where public sector workers will simply not know where they stand with respect to their constitutional rights, even if they speak and act in their individual capacities.

The FXI has written to the City Manager of the GJMC, Mr. Ketso Gordhan, to express out disquiet about the matter and to seek clarity on the disciplinary proceedings. We also note that SAMWU is fully supportive of Ms. Manganye on this matter, and commend the union for the unwavering support of the free speech rights of their member.

Contact: Kate Skinner, Deputy Chairperson, FXI (Tel: 082-926-6404) Jane Duncan, Head: Policy and Research, FXI (Tel: 011-403-8403)