Zikalala was suspended for “serious misconduct”, according to a statement issued by Mpofu. <\/p>\n
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”. <\/p>\n
Board chairwoman Khanyi siwe Mkhonza said yesterday that Mpofu’s action against Zikalala was not recognised by the board. <\/p>\n
Asked if she viewed Zikalala’s suspension as legitimate she said: “No, not at all. " <\/p>\n
The board and Mpofu are locked in battle, and the suspension of Zikalala is likely to increase tensions. <\/p>\n
A source said that according to the SABC's code of conduct, Zikalala “cannot be suspended without Mpofu having notified the board”. <\/p>\n
“As far as we are concerned the matter is a non-starter. Mpofu is in breach of the code.” <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Last week Parliament’s communications committee reprimanded the board, with ANC MPs calling for a vote of no confidence in the board. <\/p>\n
“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. <\/p>\n
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”. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n