ANC MPs send SABC delegation packing
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 “crisis”.
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 “difficulties”.
She insisted the board had formally adopted both the budget and strategic plan at a meeting in January, but ANC communications spokesman Khotso Khumalo queried how this was possible as board members were only appointed by President Thabo Mbeki in December.
Mkonza replied that the budget and strategy had been drawn up by the previous board. This disturbed Khumalo who said that “you don’t have to be a genius to see that this strategy does not belong to this board. The perception is that there is a crisis in the relationship between the board and management.”
This is the latest attempt by a faction in the ANC to oust Mbeki allies Christine Qunta, Andile Mbeki and Gloria Serobe, who were imposed on ANC committee members by the pre-Polokwane ANC leadership during the parliamentary selection process.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Inkatha Freedom Party both wanted yesterday’s meeting to proceed.
DA communications spokeswoman Dene Smuts argued that the committee had not told the SABC that it wanted all board members present. However, after a 30 minute adjournment to allow political parties to discuss the issue, the majority ANC view prevailed.
Parliamentary scrutiny of SABC operations is particularly critical this year because of its digital migration project and its preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
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