Parliament to oppose Faith’s court bid on SABC

PARLIAMENT is opposing an application lodged in the Western Cape High Court, by former communications minister Faith Muthambi, in which she calls for a review of a report slating the fitness of the SABC’s former board to hold office.

This arose during a briefing of the communications portfolio committee on the progress made into the 14 recommendations contained in the report of the adhoc committee into the corporation.

Yesterday, parliamentary senior legal advisor Anthea Gordon confirmed that an application had been lodged in the Western Cape High Court by Muthambi while she was the communications minister.

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete was cited as a respondent, along with SABC ad hoc committee chairperson Vincent Smith.

“The case is specific,” said Gordon. She said it was not aimed at the overall work of the ad hoc committee, but on recommendations relating to the minister of communications.”

Gordon pointed out that Muthambi’s contention was that the National Assembly, and by extension the ad hoc committee, was not competent to make recommendations against her, saying it was beyond its terms of reference.

In its report, the ad hoc committee made damning findings against Muthambi. It described her as “incompetent”, and called on President Jacob Zuma to fire her from the communications portfolio.

The report, which was supported by all parties except the UDM, called Muthambi out for “displaying incompetence in carrying out her responsibilities as a shareholder representative” at SABC.

It found that she interfered in some of the decision-making of the board and also irregularly amended a memorandum of incorporation (MOI) in order to centralise power in the ministry.

The committee also found that Muthambi had violated provisions of laws and codes of conduct should be reported to the institution’s ethics committee and to Zuma for institution of charges.

Gordon said Muthambi’s application had been signed before President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet reshuffle, which saw him move Muthambi to the public service and administration portfolio.