Gross political interference reason for SABC collapse‚ says COPE

Congress of the People (COPE) says it is not at all surprised by former SABC board chairperson Ellen Tshabalala’s confession before a parliamentary ad hoc committee that during her tenure there was gross political interference in the operations of the public broadcaster.

It said that Tshabalala had confirmed what several other witnesses had said to the committee.

“People like Vuyo Mvoko and Lukhanyo Calata among others also gave the committee such information regarding political interference from the highest office in the land. The only difference is that Tshabalala went further by naming political parties that are directly involved. She mentioned the ANC‚ DA and SACP‚” said COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem.

• SACP threatens legal action against Tshabalala over allegation of interferenceThe South African Communist Party (SACP) has threatened possible legal action against former SABC chairperson Ellen Tshabalala for what it calls it calls her baseless allegation of interference by the party in the affairs of the public broadcaster.

The mere fact that people were appointed at the SABC without the necessary qualifications‚ including Tshabalala and the broadcaster’s controversial former chief operating officer‚ Hlaudi Motsoeneng‚ was enough evidence to prove this political interference‚ Bloem added.

• Ngubane says he and Motsoeneng saved the SABCFormer SABC board chairperson Ben Ngubane has defended Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s track record and his massive pay hike‚ saying the controversial former chief operating officer is skilled and the salary "adjustments" were in line with human resource processes.

“COPE is looking forward to the written submission from Tshabalala that must be presented to the ad-hoc committee with more information including the names of the politicians who interfered in the operations of the SABC.

“We believe that if Parliament is serious about cleaning-up the mess at the SABC‚ the committee must insist in getting truthful answers from the political head of the department Minister Faith Muthambi‚” Bloem said.