Committee to act on legal opinion regarding meddling at SABC

THE portfolio committee on communications has decided to act on the legal opinion that calls on Communications Minister Faith Muthambi to stop interfering with SABC board matters.

Portfolio committee chairperson Joyce Moloi-Moropa confirmed yesterday that she had been given the go-ahead by Parliament to act on the legal opinion barring Muthambi from meddling in the affairs of the SABC board.

Moloi-Moropa said they would convene an urgent meeting and decide on the legal opinion.

This follows weekend reports that Speaker Baleka Mbete had refused to act on the legal opinion. However, Parliament said yesterday the Speaker could not act on matters of committees before they were concluded.

“Committees are empowered by the rules to determine their own procedures in dealing with matters before them. Once a committee has finalised its process, it reports to the National Assembly. The Speaker then communicates decisions of the National Assembly to the relevant structure,” said Parliament.

Moloi-Moropa said Parliament was correct in that they had to attend to the matter and finalise it as the portfolio committee. “We will prioritise the matter,” she said.

However, she said they were still working out the dates for the meeting of the committee in the light of Muthambi’s budget speech tomorrow.

This issue may even come up during the budget vote as opposition parties have been exasperated by Muthambi’s interference in SABC board matters. The board has been embroiled in turmoil in the last few months, with six of its members leaving.

While three members resigned, the other three were fired by the board.

The axed members are Hope Zinde, Ronnie Lubisi and Rachel Kaliddas. The trio have said they were purged because they did not agree with the minister.

Muthambi

believes

the board has the right to act against any member in terms of the Companies Act.

The minister has also said she has the oversight role on the public broadcaster.

Moloi-Moropa said they wanted to finalise the matter as soon as possible.

Ministerial spokesperson Ayanda Holo said Muthambi would make herself available if she was asked by the portfolio committee to appear before it.