South Africa, March 19 -- The three applicants want the analogue switch-off date of 31 March declared invalidated and stopped.

They say that if the deadline is not halted then millions of South Africans will be denied access to television.

In its heads of arguments to the court, eTV says, "Government failed to consult on the Analogue Switch-off (ASO) date before deciding to set 31 March 2025 as the date.

"On 28 November 2024, the minister informed stakeholders that the previous ASO date of 31 December 2024 would not be extended.

"On 5 December 2025, the minister told stakeholders that the deadline was now 31 March 2025. There was no consultation in between.

"Stakeholders were never advised that government was considering an extension...