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South Africa: SABC Board to Face ANC Wrath in Parliament
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Business Day (Johannesburg)
9 May 2008
Posted to the web 9 May 2008
Karima Brown
Johannesburg
THE SABC board, battling to manage a fallout that saw the suspension of two executives, is likely to come under more pressure, with Parliament expected to discuss a motion of no confidence against it later this month.
CEO Dali Mpofu was suspended by the board, barely a day after he suspended head of news Snuki Zikalala.
An African National Congress (ANC) insider said members were pushing for a vote of no confidence.
"I was told that Nathi Mthethwa (ANC chief w hip) had instructed MPs to push for a vote of no confidence."
Mthethwa and influential ANC MP Lumka Yengeni are seen as key players in efforts to pass a vote of no confidence against the board.
However, attempts to dissolve the board have failed.
Board member Bheki Khumalo, who spoke at the launch of the SABC's News Agency said: "Our board has been duly constituted under a democratic constitution and the rules of Parliament, and it will work tirelessly to mend any things that need correction, and to develop this institution as a force for all South Africans to be immensely proud of. Be very sure of that."
He said the SABC would "shake off" all things that deterred it from its prime task of being a credible public broadcaster.
The board appointed by President Thabo Mbeki late last year, defying objections by ruling party MPs and ANC allies, is the source of much controversy and has become embroiled together with senior management in a bitter fight for control that has its roots in the ruling ANC's squabbles.
Yesterday, Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri broke her silence and said the government was concerned about developments at the SABC but the law did not allow for much ministerial intervention in the corporation's affairs.
Matsepe-Casaburri, who was speaking at a media briefing in Cape Town, is a former board chairwoman.
She expressed confidence that the SABC would be able to overcome its difficulties.
She said the communications department was monitoring events to ensure that there was no instability in the organisation and that it performed its functions.
Matsepe-Casaburri is being delayed in tabling her budget speech because of a deadlock between the board and the portfolio committee over financial and fiduciary issues at the SABC.
Meanwhile, the board and the executive agreed yesterday to work together to restore credibility and stability at the broadcaster.
Board chairwoman Khanyi Mkhonza said a meeting had dealt with issues bedevilling the SABC.
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"The meeting addressed some issues that management had earlier raised in a memo to the board.
"Due process will be followed as soon as possible to finalise investigations in relation to the CEO and the head of news and current affairs," said Mkhonza.
The board and management would embark on meetings and a process of engagement with all levels of the organisation. With Sapa
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