Gay Society Refused Leave to Appeal by Judge Zulman

In the matter of:

Craig Firman                                      APPLICANT

And

Jon Qwelane                                     RESPONDENT

1. I have carefully considered the decision of the Ombudsman and the Submissions of the Applicant ..

2. I draw attention to paragraph 3.1 of the Constitution of the Press Council of South Africa read with paragraph 2.6 of Annexure A thereto.

The relevant portion of paragraph 2.6 reads as follows:

“If the Chairperson [of the South African Press Council Appeals Panel- SAPAP ] is of the view that the SAPAP may come to a decision different to that of the Ombudsman …he or she grants leave to appeal.”

Paragraph 3.1 requires such leave to be granted before a party may pursue

 an application to review the decision of the ombudsman.

3. I am satisfied that there is no reasonable prospect that the SAPAP may come to a decision different to that of the ombudsman.

4. Accordingly the applicant is informed that leave to appeal is refused.

RH Zulman

Chairman South African Press Appeals Panel

To : Mr Craig Firman

and to:

The Press Ombudsman