SABC: Khumalo's resignation 'tip of the iceberg'NEWSWATCH: Bekezela Phakathi, writing in BD Live, says the resignation of Professor Bongani Khumalo from the SABC board is just the 'tip of the iceberg', and DA Shadow Minister of Communications Gavin Davis wants answers from Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi on allegations that she is interfering unlawfully in the SABC board's business. Professor Bongani Khumalo's resignation from the SABC board: Is meddling by Muthambi a contributing reason for his departure? (Image extracted from YouTube) For more:
Meanwhile... Muthambi must explain unlawful interference in SABC Board Gavin Davis, Shadow Minister of Communications, wants answers from Muthambi... Gavin Davis, Shadow Minister of Communications wants answers. (Image: Democratic Alliance) "The DA understands from several sources that Minister Faith Muthambi has written to certain SABC Board Members requesting that they give her reasons why they should not be suspended. They have been given until 15 January 2015 to respond. "As a result, one of the Board Members, Professor Bongani Khumalo, has reportedly resigned. "It is not clear what led to the letter being sent or why certain SABC Board Members are being targeted by the Minister, although it appears to be residual fall-out from the Minister's appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as Chief Operations Officer." Davis says, "Such ministerial interference in the SABC Board is manifestly unlawful. According to the Broadcasting Act, it is the President who appoints the Board on the recommendation of the Portfolio Committee. The Minister has no lawful role in the appointment or removal of Board Members and therefore has no right to threaten Board Members with suspension. Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi... constantly interfering in board matters? (Image: GCIS) "I have today [Tuesday] written to the Chair of the Portfolio Committee, Joyce Moloi-Moropa, to request that Minister Muthambi is called to the Committee to explain: Why she is unlawfully interfering in processes relating to the appointment and removal of SABC Board Members; "Such bullyboy tactics are fast becoming the hallmark of Minister Muthambi's tenure in the Communications Portfolio," says Davis: In July last year, the Minister personally went to the SABC's offices to strong-arm the Board into recommending the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as COO, despite the Public Protector's damning findings against him; Davis writes, "Every time Minister Muthambi unlawfully interferes in an independent entity, she cements the perception that she was appointed to build a propaganda machine for the Zuma faction of the ANC. "We hope that the Chair of the Portfolio Committee will agree that this political interference needs to be dealt with in the same way the Committee dealt with the allegations against Ellen Tshabalala - without fear or favour. Calling the Minister to account will send out a strong signal that the parliamentary oversight exercised by the Committee last year was not a one-off." |