DA welcomes parliamentary inquiry into SABC Board

28 September 2016

The DA welcomes the ANC finally agreeing to a much-needed parliamentary inquiry into the fitness of the SABC Board to hold office. 

The DA has repeatedly called for a parliamentary inquiry to be conducted into the SABC, including the Board's fitness to hold office. 

The board has overseen and allowed for institutional rot to set in at the SABC and should be held accountable for its failures. 

It is a pity that the ANC allowed the crisis at the SABC to continue to escalate over the last couple of months. 

The crisis could have been avoided much sooner, nevertheless, we are pleased that they have woken up and smelled the coffee. 

The announcement by the ANC Chief Whip, Jackson Mthembu, must be put into action, it cannot be a public relations stunt to save the ANC from another embarrassment in the eyes of the people of South Africa.

The inquiry is vital for the survival of the SABC and the restoration of trust between the public broadcaster and the people of South Africa.

It has become patently clear that the board of the SABC only serves to further the interests of the ANC, the Communications Minister, Faith Muthambi, and Hlaudi Motsoeneng, and is not dedicated - as required by the Broadcasting Act - to fairness, freedom of expression, the right of the public to be informed, and openness and accountability.

The DA is committed to restoring the integrity and independence of the SABC, and the first step, is to ensure that it has the right leadership.

Issued by Samkelo Mgobozi, Manager, DA's Press Office, 28 September 2016