THE national broadcaster has splurged half a billion rands on consultants in two years – and on Tuesday the true extent of its finances will be laid bare when the Auditor General releases its report on allegations of corruption, wasteful expenditure and mismanagement by the old board, executives and staff, writes Buddy Naidu in the Sunday Times.
In the 2007-08 financial year the broadcaster spent R226.5-million on consultants with R307.4-million accounted by 'consultant fees' ranging from auditors, lawyers, investigators to forensic companies The SABC has spent R534-million over the past two years on hiring consultants – including one to help it cut costs.
The broadcaster is in the red to the tune of R1-billion and has, since making the announcement in March, introduced a slew of cost-cutting measures.
In the 2007-08 financial year the SABC spent R226.5-million on consultants with R307.4-million accounted for by "consultant fees" ranging from auditors, lawyers, investigators and forensic companies the following year. The annual report of the SABC for the 2008-09 financial year has yet to be made public.
Spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said he could not comment on any details contained in the report until it had been released.
"The financial report is still being audited and, until such time it is released, I am bound by the rules not to comment."
The full details surrounding allegations of corruption, wasteful expenditure and mismanagement is expected to be laid bare in parliament on Tuesday when the auditor-general's office presents its report to the communications portfolio committee.
In June, following the dissolution of the broadcaster's former board, the committee tasked the auditor-general's office with investigating a range of allegations made by the then board, management, unions, staff and even former CEO Dali Mpofu against each other. The committee will be briefed for two hours in a closed session before it is opened to the public.
Click here to read the full report, posted on Times Live.
