The DA has called on President Jacob Zuma to "rise above any conflict of interest" by implementing with immediate effect parliament's recommendation that SABC board chairman Ellen Tshabalala be suspended.
The appeal was made hot on the heels of a statement by Zuma's spokesman, Mac Maharaj, confirming that the president was "considering" a similar request made in a letter from National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete.
The Mbete letter also calls on Zuma to suspend Tshabalala with immediate effect following the inquiry into allegations that she had falsified her qualifications.
The DA's Gavin Davis said: "It is well-known that President Zuma and Ellen Tshabalala have a close personal and professional relationship. It has also been reported that Zuma personally saw to it that Tshabalala was on the ANC list of candidates for the SABC board."
Saying it was "a weakness in our law that it is the sole prerogative of the president to suspend an SABC board member", he urged Zuma to consider the finding of the parliamentary inquiry that Tshabalala lied about her qualifications and then "committed perjury when she lied in a sworn affidavit".
The parliamentary process for Tshabalala's removal can begin when the House reconvenes in February, but Zuma can suspend her in the interim.
Tshabalala has accused the committee of deciding her fate before the inquiry was complete. The SABC refused comment.
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