Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications distanced itself on Sunday from comments made by committee member Gavin Davis regarding SABC chairwoman Ellen Tshabalala.<\/p>\n
“The committee reiterates that it will refuse to be drawn into making public pronouncement in the media about matters,” chairwoman Joyce Moloi-Moropa said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Such pronouncements had the potential not only to undermine the integrity of its work, but also trample on the principle of natural justice.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Davis said in a statement that the committee had sent a new memorandum to the Speaker of the National Assembly calling for the immediate suspension of Tshabalala as SABC chairwoman.<\/p>\n
“This follows a second unanimous agreement amongst committee members that Ms. Tshabalala be suspended pending the outcome of the parliamentary Inquiry on December 3,” Davis said.<\/p>\n
“The committee believes that Ms. Tshabalala’s suspension is crucial given the various delaying tactics she has employed to stall the Inquiry.”<\/p>\n
He said what should have been a quick process had been dragged out for far too long.<\/p>\n
“Already, there are indications that Ms. Tshabalala’s legal team is pushing for another postponement,” he said.<\/p>\n
Moloi-Moropa said as a matter of principle, the committee was committed to affording Tshabalala a fair inquiry, in which she would be invited to give her side of the story regarding the allegations levelled on her.<\/p>\n
“We are committed to upholding the ruling of the Western Cape High Court that we need to respect the principle of natural justice in dealing with this matter,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It is therefore against this backdrop that the committee resorts to remain reticent about contents of the statement issued by Mr Davids.”<\/p>\n
Tshabalala is accused of lying about her academic qualifications when applying for the job of SABC chairwoman.<\/p>\n
Tshabalala obtained an interim interdict on October 23, halting the parliamentary inquiry into whether she lied about her qualifications.<\/p>\n
She stated on her CV that she had a BComm degree from the University of SA (Unisa) and a post-graduate degree in labour relations.<\/p>\n
Unisa has since stated that, according to its records, she had neither of these qualifications.<\/p>\n
On November 12, the Western Cape High Court refused Tshabalala an order to halt the continuation of the inquiry.<\/p>\n
Judge Elizabeth Baartman did not immediately provide full reasons for her judgment, merely stating: “Order for relief refused and no order on costs.”<\/p>\n
Public protector wasting money on SABC court judgment: ANC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n SABC COO begins fight against court order<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n