Crisis looming at the SABC

ALMOST a month after President Jacob Zuma appointed the SABC board, it has been rocked by a resignation over the appointment of the institution’s new chief executive.

The resignation of chartered accountant Rachel Kalidass came almost a month after Zuma delayed making appointments.

In a letter to Zuma, which was copied to the portfolio committee on communications, Kalidass asked to be released from her fiduciary duties with immediate effect.

She cited a difference of opinion between herself and other board members over the appointment of a new chief executive.

Although she did not name the candidate, the DA named him as former Land Bank chief executive Alan Mukoki.

Kalidass revealed that the board wanted to hire a candidate who had allegations of fraud and corruption levelled against him in his previous job. The preferred chief executive was apparently the first choice of the former interim board.

“I specifically requested for my view to be recorded, which was received with great hostility by some of the board members present,” she said.

DA spokesperson Phumzile van Damme said Kalidass’s resignation was a definitive sign that it is back to “business as usual” at the SABC.

“The SABC is showing all the signs of going down that same road unless the decline is arrested immediately,” she said.

Mukoki reportedly featured in a Deloitte report, which found irregularities and implicated government officials in “shady” transactions while at the Land Bank.

Called for comment, Mukoki would only say: “I cannot comment on the SABC as you know I am employed at Sacci. However, the general issues raised relating to the Land Bank have been in the public domain since 2007.’’