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Minister seeks review of SABC board members' appointments [Star, The (South Africa)]
[June 25, 2014]

Minister seeks review of SABC board members' appointments [Star, The (South Africa)]


(Star, The (South Africa) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) communications Minister Faith Muthambi wants a complete review of the Broadcasting Act, which governs the appointment of SABC board members.

She said the process to appoint board members had become a "nightmare" for the government after board disbandments and appointments.

Cosatu has also sent a letter to SABC board chairwoman Zandile Tshabalala to "raise some important issues" with the SABC board of directors.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the union federation would welcome an opportunity to meet the board to discuss some of the issues.

"I've been there in the portfolio committee wherein you had to disband and fire the board time and time again," said Muthambi. "I think it's time for us to review this legislation, the Broadcasting Act." Muthambi said she had indicated that a chief executive must be appointed to the SABC within the next three months.



Vavi said that since 2007, the SABC had had three boards of directors, two interim boards, six chief executives, "resignations by board members, serious allegations of corruption and waste of resources".

"The latest crisis hit the SABC in February 2014, with the resignation of its group CEO, Lulama Mokhobo, just two years into her five-year term. She was reported to be going because her situation has become untenable, as two centres of power had developed, one in her own office and the other in the office of acting group chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng," said Vavi.


SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said the board had not yet received Vavi's letter.

He added that the process to appoint a permanent chief executive and chief financial officer had already started.

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