Deputy chairperson of the SABC board Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi has launched a scathing attack against DA MP Phumzile Van Damme accusing her of “pulling down black women”.
In a heated parliamentary meeting on Wednesday night, Mohlala-Mulaudzi said it worried her that Van Damme in her submission attacked black women — communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, her deputy Pinky Kekana and her (Mohlala-Mulaudzi).
“I don't know if this doesn't worry you that you seem to be pulling down black women,” charged Mulaudzi.
Van Damme shot back saying Mulaudzi was cheapening the real struggles of black women.
Van Damme had earlier taken exception to Mohlala-Mulaudzi breaking ranks with her board colleagues over retrenchments at the SABC and “going on TV, making yourself look like a celebrity” talking about board disagreements over retrenchments.
Van Damme described Mohlala-Mulaudzi's actions as unacceptable and distasteful and accused her of trying to be a hero.
Mohlala-Mulaudzi gave interviews to different media houses about how she and four other board members had dissented and opposed retrenchments.
She called for the SABC to consider other options, warning that there were threats by staff of a blackout in the next 48 hours, saying this will “further spiral” the SABC into financial difficulty.
Van Damme said as a board member, Mohlala-Mulaudzi breached the Public Finance Management Act and the SABC charter by giving TV interviews about a minority view and said action should be taken against her.
“And I am going to make sure of it because this is what you do at every entity you go to,” she said.
Van Damme also took on Ndabeni-Abrahams and Kekana saying it was not good enough for them to talk about reviewing legislation now when retrenchments at the SABC have been on the table since 2018. She also criticised them for not addressing the matter of the SABC's unfunded public mandate, which has also been an ongoing complaint from the broadcaster.
Van Damme said it was “childish” that the ministry was not able to sit down with the SABC bosses and sort out their differences.
“Minister, deputy minister, get over yourselves and work with the SABC board,” she said.
The SABC announced that it was planning to cut 400 jobs as it could no longer sustain its vast salary bill.
