Communications Minister Faith Muthambi will be asked by parliament why she authorised new regulations which gave her “sweeping powers” at the SABC, according to a report by the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n
The report stated that Muthambi was able to “purge the broadcaster” of anyone who opposed executive\u00a0Hlaudi Motsoeneng, using these powers.<\/p>\n
Humphrey Maxegwana, chairman of the parliamentary communications committee, will lead an inquiry into why Muthambi approved the new regulations in 2014.<\/p>\n
The inquiry will also look into the recent resignation of multiple SABC board members and the SABC’s requirement for 90% local content on its platforms.<\/p>\n
The regulations in question are the SABC’s amended memorandum of incorporation – which allows Muthambi to\u00a0bypass the broadcaster’s board in passing resolutions.<\/p>\n
She is also able to\u00a0convene board meetings at any time.<\/p>\n
The report stated that the regulations also allow for the firing of directors without having to engage with parliament or the president.<\/p>\n
Several board members opposed one of Muthambi’s first moves as minister in 2014 – appointing\u00a0Motsoeneng as COO – and the powers she subsequently awarded herself.<\/p>\n
Former board member\u00a0Hope Zinde\u00a0opposed the move to make\u00a0Motsoeneng COO, but was reportedly told:\u00a0“Baba [President Jacob Zuma] loves Hlaudi, he loves him so much, we must support him.”<\/p>\n
Thabisile Khumalo,\u00a0Krish Naidoo, and Vusi Mavuso have all resigned from the SABC board in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
In a related report, the Sunday Times has stated that Deputy Communications Minister\u00a0Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is involved in a “turf war” with Muthambi.<\/p>\n
The report stated that\u00a0Ndabeni-Abrahams has reported\u00a0Muthambi to Zuma for “treating her like a PA”.<\/p>\n
Ndabeni-Abrahams said\u00a0she and Muthambi have no working relationship.<\/p>\n
“She just believes that she’s equivalent to the appointing authority, [that] she’s the president,” said\u00a0Ndabeni-Abrahams.<\/p>\n
“The Department of Communications has been described as a shambles under Muthambi,” stated the report.<\/p>\n