After most SABC board members' initial reluctance to participate in
yesterday's inquiry, Parliament's communications portfolio committee
heard a gamut of reasons for the public broadcaster's disintegration,
writes Linda Ensor for Business Day.
Most
SABC board members were reluctant to participate in yesterday’s inquiry
by Parliament’s communications portfolio committee, believing that they
would not get a fair hearing and that their rights to due process had
not been respected.
They eventually
participated “without prejudice†and while reserving their rights in
the inquiry under the Broadcasting Act as to an eventual finding that
the board was dysfunctional and unable to perform its fiduciary duties.
The investigation is required before Parliament can recommend that the
board be dissolved by President Jacob Zuma and an interim board appointed.
Once
the board members  most of whom have resigned  agreed to participate,
the committee heard a gamut of reasons for the disintegration of the
public broadcaster. These included the breakdown in communication
between the board and management, intense personal animosities,
political interference, and a lack of financial management, discipline
and accountability which led to escalating costs and declining revenues.
Board
members claimed they had not had sufficient logistical support from
management while executives accused the board members of being arrogant
and rude and not prepared to create a good working relationship . All
of this was exacerbated by the SABC’s worsening financial crisis and
the fight over the presidential succession. The inquiry will continue
today.
Read the full story posted on Business Day's website.
