South African National Editors’ Forum v Robert Abbu & 19 Others1 min read
Case: South African National Editors’ Forum v Robert Abbu & 19 Other (Ar 131/21); Media Monitoring Africa (Applicant for Admission as Amicus Curiae)
Court: Durban High Court (Kwazulu-Natal Local Division)
Judges: Moodley J and Lopes J
Date of hearing: 12 November 2021
Next hearing: 2022 (to be determined)
Status: Ongoing
Last updated: 12 November 2021
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PowerSingh Inc. acts for the South African National Editors’ Forum (“SANEF”) in an open justice matter relating to media access to the criminal trial of former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede and 17 others in the Durban Regional Magistrate’s Court.
Several of the accused are current or former public officials in the municipality. SANEF applied for media access to the proceedings on the basis that they involve alleged misuse of public funds and are a matter of public interest. In essence, SANEF’s application was denied in its entirely, save for the accommodation of the media in an overflow room.
SANEF is seeking leave to appeal the Magistrate’s order in which media access to the criminal trial was restricted. The first hearing in the Durban High Court was on 12 November 2021, and Media Monitoring Africa (“MMA”) was admitted as amicus curiae in the matter.
The matter was postponed to 2022.
PowerSingh senior associate Tina Power is the instructing attorney in the matter, with Adv Sha’ista Kazee as counsel.
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Court papers:
- SANEF’s Heads of Argument (14 June 2021)
- MMA’s Application for Admission as Amicus Curiae (9 November 2021)
