MPs sceptical about SABC lifeline

SABC group executives for the second time this month were met with scepticism from MPs as they pleaded for a lifeline from government and signalled that retrenchments were going ahead. It’s asking for R3 billion to keep it afloat

Board chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini told parliament’s portfolio committee on communications that a guarantee was imperative, and suggested that only this single request might enable the public broadcaster to reconsider plans to retrench almost 1 000 permanent staff.

“Most important is to get the guarantee because then we can review all of these projects including retrenchments,” he said.

MPs criticised Makhathini for failing to present the committee with a skills register to enable them to weigh whether the entity needed or could afford its staff complement to be trimmed.

“This is not a presentation,” the DA’s communications spokesperson Phumzile van Damme said. “We want a proper skills audit. Until then, don’t talk to me.”

ANC MP Bongani Bongo also chastised the board for failing to provide facts the committee had requested, asking “what to do” when presenters failed to stick to the subject.

Makhathini has vowed to push ahead with the retrenchments and complained of political pressure opposed to the job cuts.

He told MPs yesterday that the broadcaster’s financial situation was so dire that it couldn’t borrow from banks, and that it was compounded by the fact that its application for a licence fee increase had been shot down. – ANA