Court refuses Tshabalala’s order to halt inquiry

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi said yesterday she is not yet in a position to comment on the Western Cape High Court ruling against SABC chairperson Ellen Tshabalala.

“I have just come from a Cabinet committee meeting and have not been briefed yet,” she said in a prepared speech. “So I will not be in a position to comment.

“However, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on communications is better placed at this stage to advise what the next course of action will be.”

Tshabalala is accused of lying about her academic qualifications when applying for the job of SABC chairperson. She obtained an interim interdict on October 23, halting the parliamentary inquiry into whether she lied about her qualifications.

She stated on her CV she had a BComm degree from the University of SA (Unisa) and a postgraduate degree in labour relations.

Unisa has since stated she had neither of these qualifications according to their records. The court yesterday refused Tshabalala an order to halt the continuation of the inquiry.

Judge Elizabeth Baartman did not provide full reasons.