The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has put forward a proposal to SABC group executives that the Hawks launch a forensic investigation into the affairs of the beleaguered state broadcaster.
The proposal was made during a briefing by the SABC to Scopa on the broadcaster's financial annual report for the 2015/2016 year which revealed a bombshell finding of R5.1-billion in irregular expenditure.
Acting SABC CEO James Aguma said he would prefer the broadcaster's own forensic investigators to probe the issues‚ with a proposed deadline of May 31.
- R5.1bn irregular SABC expenditure 'taken seriously' – acting CEO AgumaActing SABC CEO James Aguma has told parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts that the issue of R5.1-billion in irregular expenditure incurred by the state broadcaster was being taken “extremely seriously”.
“If fraud is found‚ this will of course be handed over to the police‚” Aguma said.
“We have a lot of interaction with the police‚ especially Brixton Police Station‚” he continued.
“We are not running away from the problem; we are here and we will deal with it. We take full responsibly as the heads of the SABC.”
But annoyed MPs said Aguma was deliberately failing to answer questions‚ especially relating to why the annual report was released only late on Tuesday night.
“You are misleading us‚ you are lying to us. You and I and your team here‚ we are not done‚” a Scopa member said.
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