SABC attitude disgusts committee
PARLIAMENT’S ad hoc committee probing the SABC’s affairs yesterday expressed its disgust at the contempt the public broadcaster accorded to the national legislature as a body not worthy of any respect.
The members of the committee accused the public broadcaster of not acting in good faith when Parliament was handling matters affecting the institution.
Some of the parliamentarians’ unhappiness was sparked by an application the SABC made to appeal against the Cape Town High Court ruling that controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng not hold any position at the corporation, and comments reportedly made by spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago that the local content quota would remain in force. The conduct of the SABC was best described by the DA’s Phumzile van Damme, who complained about contracts signed by SABC in December while the inquiry was under way.
“It’s contemptuous. They do not consider Parliament as a body to respect,” Van Damme said.
The ANC’s Hlomane Chauke said there were issues of fraudulent contracts at the SABC.
ANC MP Jabulani Mahlangu also said the SABC decision to appeal the court ruling raised serious concerns about what took place at SABC. “We are all aware there’s no board currently at SABC. One naturally assumes that the decision to challenge the court had been taken by the board and no one else being authorised.
“That matter raises very serious concerns about what actually happens at SABC.”
Mahlangu said the committee needed to take a “serious” decision that was about accountability.
“Is it because of the memorandum of incorporation which was processed adequately that allows SABC to run amok the way they do?” he asked.
The IFP’s Narend Singh said there was no good faith from the SABC before referring to an article that quoted Kganyago saying the local content policy would not be changed.
“That is not good. They need to be reminded that those are matters that fall within the purview of the recommendation we are to make to Parliament,” Singh said.
Committee chairperson Vincent Smith said the committee would write to the SABC and communications Minister Faith Muthambi so their responses were incorporated in the recommendation that would affect their report.