Hunt for 'fit, proper' SABC

25 January 2017 - 09:06 By Babalo Ndenze and BIANCA CAPAZORIO
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
SABC in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
SABC in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
Image: Waldo Swiegers. (C) Sunday Times.

MPs are urgently looking for five qualified "fit and proper" candidates to run the SABC and be part of its interim board for the next six months.

Those who apply must have an understanding of broadcasting and the legislation governing it.

Parliament's communications portfolio committee yesterday met for the first time this year to discuss the appointment process of a new SABC interim board.

Parliament could have the names of preferred candidates by the end of the week. They will be sent to the National Assembly for confirmation and, finally, to President Jacob Zuma.

  • Motsoeneng won’t be called to testify at SABC board inquiryFormer COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng will not be called to testify in front of Parliament’s ad hoc committee on the SABC board inquiry.

The interim board will have its work cut out for it to stabilise the embattled public broadcaster.

Communications portfolio committee chairman Humphrey Maxegwana said: "We are not discussing names. We don't have names, but we need people with qualifications that are relevant. People with legal expertise and people with knowledge of human resources. This is a space where issues of governance are very critical. Those are things that messed up the SABC."

Maxegwana said this was a process that did not require them to advertise.

ANC MP Lerumo Kalako said an interim board process was not the same as when a permanent board was put in place.

  • Media urged to ‘report responsibly’ after SABC inquiry’s working document was leakedThe deliberations of Parliament’s ad hoc committee on the SABC board inquiry kicked off on Thursday morning with concern being raised over who leaked its “working document”.

He said the matter was urgent because the SABC was functioning without a board.

He called on parties to look for people with broadcasting experience who understand the Broadcasting Act to "avoid problems that happened in the previous boards".

DA MP James Selfe agreed, saying: "We need to think about fit and proper people to serve on the board."

He said that action taken by the executive without a board might be illegal.

  • Now SABC bosses face axeThe parliamentary committee investigating the SABC board's fitness to hold office is recommending tough penalties for those who allowed unauthorised spending at the public broadcaster.

"I urge this committee to proceed with appointments as rapidly as possible," said Selfe.

EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu agreed that the committee must appoint an interim board "as soon as possible".

Meanwhile, if all the proposed recommendations made by a parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating the SABC are adopted, the interim board will have to hit the ground running.

MPs on that committee have suggested that the interim board look into claims that non-executive board members on the now-defunct board were given perks, including offices at the SABC and cars.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now