Mpofu ‘in firing line’ after axing Zikalala
Zikalala was suspended for “serious misconduct”, according to a statement issued by Mpofu.
But several board members told Business Day that Mpofu’s action against Zikalala was likely to spark retaliation from other senior board members who are keen to axe Mpofu over “mismanagement”.
Board chairwoman Khanyi siwe Mkhonza said yesterday that Mpofu’s action against Zikalala was not recognised by the board.
Asked if she viewed Zikalala’s suspension as legitimate she said: “No, not at all. "
The board and Mpofu are locked in battle, and the suspension of Zikalala is likely to increase tensions.
A source said that according to the SABC's code of conduct, Zikalala “cannot be suspended without Mpofu having notified the board”.
“As far as we are concerned the matter is a non-starter. Mpofu is in breach of the code.”
The SABC has become a battleground as board and management figures aligned to various camps in the African National Congress (ANC) vie for control of the public broad- caster.
Last week Parliament’s communications committee reprimanded the board, with ANC MPs calling for a vote of no confidence in the board.
“If the board retaliates, and it’s a strong possibility that they will, then the vote will indeed become a reality,” another board member said.
Mpofu announced Zikalala’s suspension at an internal news conference at Auckland Park yesterday. Officially, Zikalala has been suspended for “misconduct relating to sensitive leaked documents”.
It is understood that Zikalala differed with Mpofu about the suspension of an SABC employee in Free State. Insiders say that a cabinet minister with links to the province was lobbying for the reinstatement of the former employee.
Zikalala and Mpofu were said to have fallen out, with the latter wanting the employee reinstated. However, Zikalala is understood to have bypassed his CEO and sought support from Mkhonza.
SABC discussion – will Mpofu be sacked?
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