The parliamentary communications committee has called for the SABC board to be dissolved. Chris Barron asked ANC chief whip and chairman of the party’s communications committee, Jackson Mthembu . . . Does this mean the board and Motsoeneng no longer enjoy the ANC's protection?We have lost respect for the board and confidence in that board.So you support the call for its dissolution?More than support it: if it were possible I would love to see this board gone.Why?story_article_left1Because you can't show a middle finger to our judiciary. Our judiciary says this person [Motsoeneng] was employed as COO in a manner that is irrational. Therefore, any logical person would have removed that person from the payroll of the SABC.Is the board in contempt of court?Definitely. Contempt of court, contempt of the executive and contempt of parliament.Is it fit and proper?Definitely not.Wasn't it picked by the ANC?It was also agreed to by parliament.Where the ANC has a majority?Agreed.So did the ANC pick the most qualified candidates?We appointed, in our view at the time, the most qualified candidates.On merit?They were all selected on merit.Why did a board member say it's dysfunctional and mediocre?Because it got divided into pro- Hlaudi people and non-Hlaudi people. The non-Hlaudi people were removed. Those were people who had qualifications. They wanted to see proper governance implemented.mini_story_image_hright1Has the committee performed its oversight role?This is one of the things we will have to look at as the ANC. What did the committee in parliament do in respect of a board that used powers they do not have to fire other board members? We will want answers.Why didn't you ask this long ago?What brought the red light was first of all the issue of editorial policy. Secondly, the firing of workers based on that illegal editorial policy. The last straw was when the court decided that this person was irrationally appointed and the SABC decided to appoint him at another level. That is when we took interest in the working of the SABC.Why didn't you wake up sooner?We asked very pertinent questions of the committee before. We still don't have good answers. We are interested in why the committee left many matters unattended which have probably brought us to where we are.Because they were carrying out ANC instructions?I don't think so.Why else would ANC members of the committee block the appointment of a parliamentary inquiry into the SABC?All we are saying is the ANC acknowledges the committee could have dealt with the SABC better.A month ago ANC members wouldn't allow an inquiry into the board. What has changed?What has changed is showing a middle finger to the rule of law. And what has changed is that it was quite clear to the committee this week that we have no board. Therefore, our law says we need to hold an inquiry.Why has the ANC changed its attitude?story_article_left2I just told you that when that board of the SABC showed the middle finger.They've been doing that since 2013 when the public protector found his appointment was irrational.This matter has been before the courts. It was only finally put to rest when it went before the Supreme Court of Appeal two weeks ago.In 2012 at Mangaung the ANC acknowledged a collapse of corporate governance and resolved to deal with it 'expeditiously'?In 2013 we had a new board. We were very eager and confident that this new board would assist us to overcome these difficulties.Didn't you set yourself up for disappointment by appointing people for political reasons?I can assure you that the people that were appointed by parliament were people of expertise. For you to be a lackey of Hlaudi doesn't mean you're not an expert in your work. As to what Hlaudi has on these board members, only God knows.Will the same selection criteria be applied to the new board?We think the problems at the SABC are systemic and we need to take a step back and think what should be the governance model.Is the ANC scared of the public backlash? Is this why its attitude has changed?No.So you're not concerned about public outrage?story_article_right3The ANC is not immune from that public outrage. Our members are quite astounded by what is happening at the SABC.When will Motsoeneng be gone?The first week after the interim board is there.How long will that take?It is likely on October 25 we will have a report ... regarding the dissolution of the board which parliament will approve.After that it's for the president to dissolve it.When do you want an interim board in place?By the end of November...