SACP-COSATU joint statement on the SABC and its board Chairperson
Wednesday, 15 October 2014
The South African Communist Party and Congress of South African Trade Unions held an ordinary bilateral meeting of their National Officials and Office Bearers respectively on Monday 13 October 2014. Among other pertinent issues the meeting discussed the situation facing the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The meeting agreed on a shared perspective and joint programme to work together to Save our Public Broadcaster the SABC from what is clearly a downward slide that will only feed private capital accumulation and narrow interests, as opposed to a developmental public broadcasting that serves the people.
Our bilateral meeting also expressed its support for the Generations actors who were axed, and our two formations committed to further engaging with the economic aspects of the soapie's production costs and its rather strange relationship with especially the SABC production studios.
Following the meeting, the SACP and COSATU have noted the postponement yesterday of the parliamentary hearing into allegations that SABC Chairperson Ms Zandile Tshabalala misrepresented her qualifications and lied under oath. The SACP and Cosatu calls on Tshabalala to either produce proof of her qualifications or immediately step down from the SABC board, and save our country and the SABC from this rather embarrassing and shameful spectacle. Universities have their records and it is very simple to establish facts in this regard.
The SACP and Cosatu also wishes to caution against use of legal representatives to substitute for individuals expected to appear in front of portfolio committees to basically answer questions about themselves and their conduct. We also hope that the costs of expensive lawyers will not be borne by the SABC. This a private personal matter where public resources cannot be abused.