SABC chairman storms out of parliament

IT WAS a day of drama in parliament as a “belittled” SABC board chairperson Mbulaheni Maguvhe stormed out of parliament’s “poisoned” inquiry into the public broadcaster, accusing MPs of disrespecting him.

The fight between parliament’s ad hoc committee on the SABC escalated after Maguvhe and his delegation staged a walkout of the committee while it was in session yesterday.

The SABC has refused to release documents claiming this would negatively impact the organisation’s commercial interests.

Maguvhe has also appealed last week’s Western Cape high court ruling which dismissed his bid to interdict the committee, which could cause further delays.

The partially blind Maguvhe also feels his constitutional rights were trampled on and his disability not considered.

“I felt belittled. I felt disrespected. The utterances made by ad hoc attest to what I said.

“Subjecting myself to the inquiry, which is crystal clear that my rights are not going to be respected, I think it serves no purpose,” said Maguvhe.

Maguvhe wanted the committee to provide certain documents like the auditor general’s report into the SABC in braille.

Maguvhe was joined by acting CEO James Aguma and corporate affairs head Hlaudi Motsoeneng and lawyer Lucky Thesis.

Thekiso said the ad hoc committee had to be reconstituted to safeguard Maguvhe’s rights.

Motsoeneng said the SABC would defend all its decisions to the committee.

Earlier MPs had voiced their unhappiness at reasons provided by the SABC to refuse to release documents to the committee. Committee chairperson Vincent Smith said they wouldn’t rule out taking the matter to the Court if need be.

ANC MP Jabulani Mahlangu said the committee should not be deterred by Maguvhe’s appeal and should pursue the matter.

Public protector Busi Mkhwebane told the committee that the SABC had “defied all the remedial actions” in relation to findings by her predecessor Thuli Madonsela.

Mkhwebane also told the committee that Communications Minister Constitutional Faith Muthambi had refused to meet Madonsela and had been subpoenaed.

She also indicated to the inquiry that they could go to court to force the SABC to implement remedial action.

The Independent Communications Authority of SA also gave a presentation informing the inquiry that it had laid criminal charges against the SABC for failing to adhere to its decisions on the banning of violent protests.