SABC, government in talks to avert financial crunch
The SABC board and representatives of the Treasury and the Department of Communications are working around the clock to finalise a financial rescue plan for the embattled public broadcaster amid concerns that it could soon run out of money.
The SABC faces its worst financial crisis in years and there is speculation that the corporation could struggle to pay salaries and suppliers if it does not get some form of assistance.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said on Tuesday that the nature of the financial aid and the amount the broadcaster would need to remain afloat had not been finalised.
“Engagements are taking place and we want to finalise this as soon as yesterday. Representatives from the Department of Communications, the Treasury and the SABC are holding talks,” Kganyago said.
Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said last week that the discussions were centred on how to assist the SABC, in a way that “might not … [result] in a financial bail-out”.
She said that the current SABC board — which has been tasked with turning around the national broadcaster — lacked a member with financial expertise and competence, and so someone had been sent from the Department of Communications to assist in these matters.
In the Hlaudi Motsoeneng matter, Kganyago said that a date had not been set for the former chief operating officer’s disciplinary hearing.
The interim board wasted little time and moved to appoint former KwaZulu-Natal judge president Vuka Tshabalala to chair the hearing in what has been seen as a signal of the board’s desire to implement the recommendations of the public protector and to fix the crisis at the public broadcaster.
Motsoeneng, who is on suspension, has been blamed for the problems at the SABC.