News editor takes his paper to court

SUSPENDED New Era News Editor Da’oud Vries has taken his employers to the Labour Court, claiming “systematic abuse” by the newspaper, which he described as “grossly unprincipled”.

Vries was suspended in August after an inflammatory letter was published in the newspaper. New Era alleged that he had a part to play in publishing the letter on July 2 2006, which generated widespread criticism of, among others, Information and Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.The newspaper subsequently published a front-page apology.However, calls were made to national radio phone-in programmes demanding that Nandi-Ndaitwah act against the newspaper.Vries was suspended and a hearing was held a month later – in September – at which he was found not guilty.While Vries was waiting for the outcome of the hearing, New Era suspended him again, this time on charges including alleged absence without leave.Vries claims in court papers that he was suspended without the company lifting his first suspension or informing him about the ruling.The second suspension was without pay and he was allegedly accused of laziness for failing to return to work.Vries said the second hearing was “clearly a kangaroo court” with clear intentions to dismiss him.He claims that New Era fraudulently and with a conspiracy to dismiss him engaged the services of two outsiders – respondent one Robin Rains and respondent two Sam January – as “political hitmen” in an employment contract.Rains represented the company while January chaired the second hearing.Vries said New Era, Rains and January were “grossly unprincipled” and acted in a manner aimed at destroying his career.He has given instructions for a separate civil claim against Rains and January, whom he accused of failing to follow correct procedures during the second disciplinary hearing.The case will be heard on Friday.New Era alleged that he had a part to play in publishing the letter on July 2 2006, which generated widespread criticism of, among others, Information and Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.The newspaper subsequently published a front-page apology.However, calls were made to national radio phone-in programmes demanding that Nandi-Ndaitwah act against the newspaper.Vries was suspended and a hearing was held a month later – in September – at which he was found not guilty.While Vries was waiting for the outcome of the hearing, New Era suspended him again, this time on charges including alleged absence without leave.Vries claims in court papers that he was suspended without the company lifting his first suspension or informing him about the ruling.The second suspension was without pay and he was allegedly accused of laziness for failing to return to work.Vries said the second hearing was “clearly a kangaroo court” with clear intentions to dismiss him.He claims that New Era fraudulently and with a conspiracy to dismiss him engaged the services of two outsiders – respondent one Robin Rains and respondent two Sam January – as “political hitmen” in an employment contract.Rains represented the company while January chaired the second hearing.Vries said New Era, Rains and January were “grossly unprincipled” and acted in a manner aimed at destroying his career.He has given instructions for a separate civil claim against Rains and January, whom he accused of failing to follow correct procedures during the second disciplinary hearing.The case will be heard on Friday.