SABC clean-up: Now Aguma bites the dust
SABC boss resigns at hearing
SABC group acting CEO James Aguma’s departure has left the SABC without a permanent chief executive, chief financial officer and chief operating officer.
The SABC’s last permanent chief executive Frans Matlala, who had been appointed in July 2015, left the public broadcaster after a year. He was placed on suspension four months after his appointment.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the former SABC chief operating officer, was dismissed by the corporation on June 12 following an internal disciplinary hearing which found him guilty of bringing the SABC into disrepute.
Regarding Aguma’s resignation, SABC interim board chair Khanyisile Kweyama said Aguma, who was suspended in May while he was the acting chief executive, resigned with immediate effect at his disciplinary hearing yesterday morning.
He was facing charges relating to tender irregularities and dishonesty.
Kweyama said though the interim board would inform the public broadcaster’s independent pension fund administrator that Aguma was implicated in an allegedly dodgy tender deal, the SABC did not have powers to withhold his pension fund until the special investigating unit (SIU) had concluded its probe.
“The pension fund is [administered by] an independent body. So, obviously, the pension fund [administrator] will be alerted that there is this [SIU investigation against Aguma], but it is really out of our hands,” Kweyama said.
She was responding to a question on whether the SABC planned to withhold Aguma’s pension pending the finalisation of the SIU investigation.
Kweyama also confirmed that Aguma would not receive a golden handshake.
Aguma was facing charges which included “breach of fiduciary duties, dishonesty in entering into an agreement with Lezaf and Lorna Vision and dishonesty by attesting to an affidavit in the Motsoeneng hearing contrary to what he told the interim board”.
During his hearing which took place in Sandton on Tuesday and yesterday, Aguma had requested, and was provided with, minutes and resolutions relating to his suspension.
Kweyama, however, said Aguma did not give reasons for resigning. She told the media briefing that Aguma would be given a 30-day notice period and “other benefits”.