While the SABC has been in a shambles for years, it has suffered particularly under the leadership of former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng. A parliamentary committee report reveals details regarding irregular procurement practices, unfair dismissals and a broadcaster in dire financial straits.
The mismanagement of the SABC is said to have led to the embattled public broadcaster bleeding viewers and ad revenue, with the collateral damage spreading far beyond its head office in Auckland Park.
Independent television producers and filmmakers say former chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng has done untold damage to the industry, urging Parliament to speedily appoint an interim board that can reinstate fair and transparent processes to deal with a number of critical issues, including the commissioning of content and the payment of actors.
The SABC, which has been the subject of an enquiry by an ad hoc parliamentary committee, started the new year without its controversial former COO or its last board member, chairman Mbulaheni Maguvhe, who stepped down in December, thereby leaving the SABC rudderless.
The speedy appointment of an interim board is of utmost importance in order to stabilise the broadcaster, interest groups say. The board will face a mountain of work: it will need to deal with the investigation of numerous allegations of censorship, victimisation, corruption and improper procurement transactions that have been aired over the last few years.
A new board will also have to report to minister of communications Faith Muthambi, who has been singled out for some harsh criticism in the ad hoc committee’s interim report, potentially having broken various laws and allegedly having interfered in the SABC’s operational affairs. (The final report is expected near month-end. Neither the department of communications nor the SABC responded to finweek’s requests for comment.)
Financial troubles
This story is from the 23 February 2017 edition of Finweek English.
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This story is from the 23 February 2017 edition of Finweek English.
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