SABC probes sexual claims
Judge to chair inquiry into sex-for-jobs scandal
The SABC has established a high-level commission of inquiry to investigate sexual harassment claims amid startling allegations of a sexfor-jobs scandal against a former controversial boss.
Sowetan has established that there were allegations that the former executive, who’s name is known to the newspaper, had for years demanded sexual favours from dozens of female employees in one of the public broadcaster’s nine regions.
Female temporary workers who rejected his sexual advances, allegedly had their contracts not renewed when they lapsed.
An SABC employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Sowetan yesterday: “Everyone in that office, including other managers, knew what female employees needed to do to keep their jobs. That’s how blatant it was.”
Acting chief executive Nomsa Philiso, who announced the establishment of the inquiry in Auckland Park yesterday, said the SABC was trying to cleanse itself and develop an early detection mechanisms in the future.
“The inquiry is as broad as it can possibly be, even if there’s someone out there who couldn’t get a job at the SABC because someone demanded sexual favours, they can come forward,” Philiso said.
Philiso said she was in the process of appointing a retired judge to chair the inquiry after one initially approached pulled out.
She also announced another commission which would probe political interference.
In 2016 eight journalists, dubbed the “SABC 8”, protested against changes to the broadcaster’s editorial policy.
Philiso said the commission to look into the allegations of editorial interference, to be chaired by respected journalist Joe Thloloe, would focus on the period between 2012 and this year to ensure that all the allegations were tested following recommendations of the 2016 parliament’s ad-hoc committee on SABC.
“First and foremost we would like to look at the environment; are our systems
Inquiry is as broad as it can possibly be
opportunistic for such to happen and go back to look at what do we fix,” Philiso said.
Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union’s Hannes du Buisson said the commissions were long overdue. The hearings of the commissions were expected to start on June 18, while the draft reports were expected in August.