Concern as Zuma stalls on probe

ALLEGED delays by President Jacob Zuma to sign a proclamation for a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the SABC are causing consternation within and outside the public broadcaster.

Executives at the SABC and other interested parties have raised concerns about the “apparent delays” in signing the proclamation, which they hope will help fast-track the process to stabilise the ailing corporation before the interim board’s term ends in September.

They are also hoping that this will pave the way for those fingered for corruption and maladministration to be criminally prosecuted.

“For us, the key is if you are going to unlock the problem, you actually need to get to the root of the fraud, irregularities and wasteful and fruitless expenditure.

“We have contacted the SIU to do that, including the scope and all other things that have to go to the Department of Justice, and the minister (Michael Masutha) has signed,” said a source at the SABC.

Request

“It (SIU proclamation request) has been sitting at the president’s desk for more than two months now.

“And we don’t know when it will be signed. But every day that passes is time lost. It is crucial for JZ to sign.

“Why he doesn’t sign, we don’t know…”

Earlier this year, the National Assembly adopted a report by the ad hoc committee that investigated the SABC, which laid bare the widespread mismanagement at the public broadcaster, including alleged dodgy and questionable contracts. These include those involving the Gupta-owned newspaper The New Age, MultiChoice, Infonomics, Vision View, SekelaXabiso and Foxton.

Two weeks ago, Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo met the SABC interim board and Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) and the SIU for an update on the investigations.

With Zuma yet to sign the SIU proclamation, some executives within the SABC are beginning to wonder if he will.

“A major hurdle to dealing with corruption is the delay by Zuma to sign the SIU proclamation, as every day lost means the unit cannot start (the probe), and we have just over two months left,” said another source.

Two weeks ago, the SIU told Scopa that it was expecting Zuma to issue the proclamation by the end of June.

SIU head advocate Lekhoa Mothibi said the five areas of focus that had been identified for a probe included procurement and contracting of goods, works and services by or on behalf of the SABC; payments and related unauthorised; irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

Also identified is the bonus paid to former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng.