Prayers to stop porn TV in SA

RELIGIOUS leaders in Nelson Mandela Bay are praying the Cape Town High Court will set aside a decision authorising the broadcasting of three porn channels on South African television.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) last year granted StarSat (previously TopTv) rights to broadcast three pornographic channels between 8pm and 5am. This week, the court is reviewing an application to have the broadcasting regulator's decision declared invalid.

Interdenominational African Ministers Association secretary-general Dr James Fatuse said they would be praying for the judge to make the right decision, as pornography was one of the tools that led to the decay of society.

"I pray that the court not only sets aside the decision but it also opens up debate on the porn industry and its effect on the morals of our society."

Three organisations, including the Justice Alliance of SA (Jasa), have brought the application to have the station's licence to show porn revoked.

Father Jerry Browne, of the Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth, and Muhammad Badsha, Imam of Al Huda Mosque in Korsten, said they fully supported the application to have the ruling overturned.

Mzi Wase Topiya minister Reverend Mbulelo Beyi said pornography was killing moral values and needed to be condemned. - Thulani Gqirana