Parliament committee ‘dismayed’ that working document on SABC probe was leaked

The chairperson of Parliament’s ad hoc committee on the SABC board inquiry said on Wednesday that he was “dismayed” at the “leak” of a working document on its probe.

It was compiled following the conclusion of the committee’s investigation last Friday‚ and emerged online on Tuesday night.

Noting that it “has found its way into the public domain”‚ committee chair Vincent Smith said the working document was “intended to facilitate discussions when the committee commences deliberations” on Thursday and Friday.

“The working document was prepared as a foundation upon which a constructive meeting of the committee and deliberations will commence‚ and it was drafted for that purpose only‚” he said.

“It has no standing as an official document of the committee until deliberations are exhausted‚ possibly by Friday.”

Earlier on Wednesday‚ the DA described the leaked document as “a good start and framework”.

• DA says leaked SABC inquiry document is ‘a good start and framework’The DA on Wednesday described the “leaked working document” of Parliament’s ad hoc committee on the SABC board inquiry as “a good start and framework”. 

However‚ the party’s Phumzile van Damme said‚ “much more work is needed for it to truly serve the purpose of steering the SABC to calm waters”.

She noted that the “document is in draft form and was circulated to members of the committee ahead of deliberations on Thursday”.

“It is therefore subject to change.”

Van Damme said her party would “be working on firm proposals that will not only steer the SABC to calm waters‚ but hold those responsible for the mess the public broadcaster accountable”.

Among the documents recommendations was for a new interim SABC board to “institute an investigation into all irregular‚ fruitless and wasteful expenditure” at the public broadcaster‚ and that “steps must be taken to recover” these funds.

• Parliament wants to recover up to R5.1bn in wasted monies spent at SABCThe first task of a new interim SABC board will be to “institute an investigation into all irregular‚ fruitless and wasteful expenditure” at the public broadcaster. 

It was also scathing of the interference of Communications Minister Faith Muthambi in the board’s work‚ including exerting “undue pressure” in the “hasty” permanent appointment of then acting COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng “despite the public protector’s damning findings against” him.

The document also hinted that the deal between the SABC and the Gupta-owned The New Age media outlet - which gets paid for the televised TNA Biz Brief – could be “terminated”.

• Guptas' deals with SABC could be ‘terminated’The TNA Biz Brief’s run on the SABC could come to an end soon. 

Van Damme commended the committee‚ saying it “has conducted itself firmly‚ in a no-holds barred manner‚ and it's recommendations need to also be thus”.

“The DA looks forward to negotiating with the rest of the members of the Ad Hoc committee tomorrow.”

– TMG Digital