MPs closer to recommendations for interim SABC board

CAPE TOWN — MPs on the SABC inquiry ad hoc committee trawled through clause after clause on Friday to plot the committee’s final report, which will include official recommendations toward setting up a new, interim SABC board.

Party politics showed its face for the first time during the proceedings this week as MPs debated for and against their preferred viewpoints in what has been a tedious two days of meticulous work.

Among the suggestions made by MPs on Friday was the setting up of an interim board, launching a full forensic audit into all irregular and wasteful expenditure, and implementing all outstanding court orders against the SABC.

The role of Communications Minister Faith Muthambi was also a point of contention.

The committee agreed to extend its working period by a week, giving it more time from Tuesday to Friday next week to argue the merits of “the most important part of our work”.

The committee aims to adopt a final draft report on Friday, January 28.

MPs also discussed recommendations around the “shareholder” of the SABC, which is currently Minister Muthambi. Opposition MPs were very critical of Muthambi’s role in the dissolution of the current board. EFF MP Fana Mokoena suggested that the report recommend to President Jacob Zuma that Muthambi be fired for her role at the SABC since 2014. Both Mokoena and DA MP Phumzile van Damme said the amendments she made to the memorandum of incorporation should be reversed, and Muthambi’s current wish to amend the Broadcasting Act this year should be examined by Parliament. — News24