The accusation was made by legal counsel for MMA and SOS in joint representations to the high court in Pretoria on Tuesday. The two media industry bodies are the second and third respondents, respectively, in a case brought to the court by broadcaster e.tv, which claims that the 31 March analogue switch-off ASO deadline is premature and was made without consulting media industry stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of MMA and SOS , advocate Nick Ferreira told the court:
The minister's lowball figure is some 391 513 households, which must be multiplied by 3.2 individuals - according to Statistics South Africa - which gives you roughly 1.3 million people. That is the lowest possible figure of people who will be plunged into television blackout.
Sentech actually told parliament that this will be about 100 000 more in its presentation to parliament a few days ago.
"E.tv continues to broadcast in analogue in these five provinces, but Sentech and the minister are trying to get to a date so they are rushing. They are putting all of their resources into four provinces and leaving the other five out of account entirely," said Ferreira.