Steps against guilty SABC workers soon
“I am reliably informed that in the next few days the interim board will be announcing what action it will be taking against staff members who are alleged to have breached company policy or the law,” he said during debate on the committee’s nominations for a new board.
“All in all, then, it does seem that the SABC is overcoming it’s worst nightmare.
“A foundation has been laid by the interim board for a turnaround strategy for the SABC,” Vadi said.
The Auditor General’s investigation, into the alleged misconduct and financial irregularities at the SABC, found that between September 2007 and June this year the organisational culture that prevailed at the SABC showed a complete disregard for the prescripts of the corporation’s procurement and tender policy and of National Treasury regulations.
There appeared to be numerous cases of conflict of interest by SABC staff members doing business with the corporation, and there were selected examples of alleged gross abuse of benefits, such as petrol cards, by senior executive managers.
The AG also found there was also a gradual breakdown in the lines of accountability and proper financial reporting at the SABC.
On Thursday, the House approved the committee’s choices for the new SABC board.
The recommendations now go to President Jacob Zuma for ratification and appointment.
Almost all opposition parties abstained from voting, supporting some of the candidates, but not others, with the Democratic Alliance’s Niekie van den Berg accusing the African National Congress of giving in to its alliance partners.
The DA was disappointed at the process being politicised.
However, Vadi said the committee believed that the nominees, viewed collectively, had the necessary skills, expertise and competence to provide proper and effective leadership to the public broadcaster.
All parties are unanimous in their support of journalist and engineer Magatho Mello, National Union of Metalworkers of SA president Cedric Gina, attorney Peter John Harris, current board member Suzanne Vos, journalist Pippa Green, IT law specialist Felleng Sekha, and broadcast consultant Clare O’Neil.
However, the other five nominees — SA Communist Party member David Niddrie, former SABC board member Barbara Masekela, attorney and ANC Youth League member Clifford Motsepe, economist and former SABC board member Desmond Golding, former arts and culture minister Ben Ngubane –were rejected by the DA, the Congress of the People and the Independent Democrats.
SABC action against staff – comments and views
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