SABC chair Ellen Tshabalala resigns

The Presidency said in a press statement today (17 December 2014) that President Jacob Zuma has received and accepted the resignation of Ellen Tshabalala as a board member and chairperson of the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), with immediate effect.

“The President thanks Ms Tshabalala for her contribution to the public broadcaster and wishes her all the best in her future endeavours,” the press statement said.

According to Section 13(6) of the Broadcasting Act, 1999, the deputy chairperson of the SABC board automatically acts as chairperson until the President designates another chairperson.

The deputy chairperson is Professor Mbulaheni Obert Maguvhe.

Parliament’s communications portfolio committee recently resolved unanimously to recommend Tshabalala’s removal from office after an inquiry into whether she lied about her academic qualifications found her guilty on two charges of misconduct.

The first charge of misconduct against Tshabalala related to her stating on her CV that she had obtained the two qualifications from UNISA when she applied for the job as SABC chairwoman.

However, the university has no record of her completing either one.