Statement of the ANC Youth League on the resignations at the SABC

The African National Congress Youth League welcomes resignations of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the SABC board in the event that these will bring much needed stability to the SABC.

It is critical that the SABC has order and stability in its governance structures for it to properly fulfil its role as a public broadcaster. We note with concern that the only permanently filled position at the most senior levels in the SABC is the Group CEO, as the Chief Financial Officer is also currently on suspension and facing an investigation.

The SABC should therefore fast track the process of appointing a permanent Chief Operations Officer and the disciplinary process around the CFO. The Minister of Communications, Comrade Dina Pule, and the Board should provide an explanation to the nation as to why they have been dragging their feet on filling the vacancy of the COO which has been vacant for far more than 5 years by now

It has also been publicly reported that there are investigations by the Auditor General and the Special Investigative Unit that have been commissioned at the taxpayer's expense. It is our understanding that Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng has commissioned the second investigation in his capacity as an Acting Group COO.

The reports arising from these investigations should be released as a matter of urgency and the board members found to have acted improperly should be relieved of their duties. In our view board members who are conflicted within the organization are compromised and therefore cannot objectively execise their fiduciary duties especially when it comes to taking difficult decisions that affect management.

We are concerned about the prospects of these resignations degenerating to the level of dissolving the entire board. Such an occurrence would create further instability. The unaffected board members must be retained to ensure continuity. Board members who have resigned and those who know they are implicated in the reports above must be replaced with competent individuals who understand the broadcasting landscape and what needs to be achieved at the public broadcaster. 

We trust that the staff of the SABC will ensure that work continues even amidst the squabbles in the boardroom.

Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, March 12 2013

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