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Oppo sition political parties yesterday sharply criticised the SABC's decision to broadcast President Thabo Mbeki's speech at this weekend's launch of the African National Congress election manifesto.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Democratic Alliance (DA), National Action (NA), Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and United Democratic Movement (UDM) urged the broadcaster to reconsider its decision or give other parties the same benefit.

"The SABC is being turned back into an apartheid-style state broadcaster," said IFP spokesperson Suzanne Vos.

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) also questioned the decision, which it said was "not appropriate".

"It is not proper to give what appears to be an undue advantage and resources to the ruling party and allow the president... to articulate and advocate policies that the party wants to pass on to the public," said FXI anti-censorship programme head Simon Ndungu.

The UDM said it had lodged a complaint with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA).

The IFP said it would follow suit early next week.

In a letter to the commission, the UDM asked for guidelines to be drawn up to ensure political parties are given an equal opportunity to share their views and policies with the public.

"This is, after all, a prerequisite to ensure that voters can make informed decisions".

The BCCSA declined to comment.

For its part, the DA said it had requested the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to intervene.

"The SABC is giving an unfair advantage to the ANC by providing them with special treatment and extra coverage in the run-up to the general election.

By doing so, the SABC is helping to determine the election result," said DA spokesperson Nick Clelland-Stokes.

The IEC confirmed receipt of the complaint, but could not elaborate.

The NA urged President Thabo Mbeki to "personally see to it" that the SABC did not broadcast the speech he is to make in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday.

"Alternatively, the president is requested to ask that all other parties are given the same treatment," the party's co-leader Cassie Aucamp said in a statement.

Presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo would not comment.

"We refuse to be drawn into this matter. It is between the SABC and the ANC".

The FF Plus demanded clarity on how the SABC planned to ensure fair political party coverage during the election period.

"The start does not bode well for the rest of the election campaign," said party leader Pieter Mulder.

The SABC stuck to its guns, with spokesperson Paul Setsetse contending Mbeki's speech would be broadcast in his capacity as head of state, not ANC leader.

"He will be speaking as the president of the Republic of South Africa. That fact must be accepted and respected".

This would be Mbeki's first public address for 2004, and an opportunity for the SABC to "extend the president's message".

Mbeki would be addressing policy issues, and it was the broadcaster's duty to ensure that the South African public was informed of these, Setsetse maintained. Other political parties would be given an opportunity to respond to Mbeki's speech.

Asked if the SABC would broadcast the election manifesto launch speeches of other parties' leaders, he said: "No, we can't because we only have one president of South Africa".

Ndungu said giving opposition parties a chance to respond was not enough to balance the scales.

"The SABC is going beyond what is required of it".

The parties complained of a blurring of the distinction between the government and the ruling party.

"There can be no doubt that the launch of the ANC's election manifesto is a purely party-political matter," Mulder said.

"For the release of party-political proposals, parties have to use their own money and the public broadcaster has to treat all parties equally".

Aucamp accused the ruling party of abusing its position and said it was Mbeki's duty to ensure that elections were fair and the playing field level.

According to the IFP, the SABC's decision had sullied the election process "a la Zimbabwe".

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) said it could not interfere.

Icasa could legally only start monitoring political party media coverage in the three months running up to the poll date.

"For now, because we are outside of that period, it is entirely up to the SABC to decide what is newsworthy in line with its policies," said Icasa spokesperson Vimla Maistry. – Sapa.

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