A delegation from the SABC including its chairwoman, CEO and three
board members was dismissed by Parliament’s communications committee
yesterday and told to come back today with as many of the 12-strong
board as possible, writes Linda Ensor in Business Day.
Those unable to attend would have to give a “reasonable explanation†as to why they could not do so, committee chairman Ismail Vada said.
SABC chairwoman Kanyisiwe Mkonza, CEO Dali Mpofu and chief financial officer Robin Nicholson were to present the national broadcaster’s budget and strategic plans to the committee, but African National Congress (ANC) MPs refused to allow them to proceed in view of media reports of disputes within the board, and between the board and management.
Mkonza was reported to have accused Mpofu in a memorandum of “dereliction of duty†and claimed the SABC was at risk of an operational, financial and governance “crisisâ€ÂÂ.
A board committee was set up to investigate.
ANC MPs led by Lumka Yengeni objected to the poor attendance of board members. They said unless the committee was able to canvass the views of the whole board it could have no assurance that the budget and strategy were fully endorsed.
Mkonza denied there were any divisions within the board over the budget and strategy, though admitting there had been “difficultiesâ€ÂÂ.
Click here to read the full report, posted on Business Day's website.
