The SABC will appeal the Labour Court order that it reinstate four journalists that were recently dismissed, and will not allow them back into their offices.

The Labour Court ruled on Tuesday that four of the eight SABC journalists that were axed by the broadcaster must be reinstated. It also ruled they were entitled to return to work and that the SABC was interdicted from proceeding with the disciplinary hearings of the four before they were dismissed.

The four journalists are Foeta Krige, Suna Venter, Krivani Pillay and Jacques Steenkamp. They asked the court to set aside their dismissals, and that their disciplinary processes be revoked in its entirety. The four were represented by trade union Solidarity.

They had criticised the broadcaster’s policy to not broadcast footage of violent protests.

Solidarity’s Dirk Hermann tweeted that the union will file urgent court papers to get the four journalists back to work pending the SABC’s appeal.

“SABC will appeal the Labour Court order that we be reinstated. No going back to work today. #sabc8 #breakingmyheart,” Venter tweeted.