Vuyo Mvoko: Parliament needs a full-scale briefing on the SABC
The DA will write to the Acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, Dikeledi Tsotetsi requesting that Minister Faith Muthambi and the SABC be summoned to Parliament for a full briefing on recent developments at the public broadcaster.
In the latest in a string of scandals, the SABC is reported to have canned On the Record with Vuyo Mvoko because Mvoko had planned to host a live show on state capture and the Guptas, which would have – according to SABC bosses – portrayed the ANC and President Jacob Zuma in a “negative light”.
The DA has been reliably informed that it is indeed correct that the show was pulled off air following Mvoko’s insistence on doing his job, and discussing on his show, what was the most important story in the news cycle at the time.
It is said that Mvoko had angered SABC bosses and Luthuli House when he was “too tough” on North West ANC chairperson and premier, Supra Mahumapelo a known close ally of President Zuma, during an interview earlier in the week.
The DA has also been informed that after Vytjie Mentor story broke on Radio Sonder Grense last week, SABC bosses were furious that RSG had broken the story and had initially refused for the story to be aired on other SABC radio stations.
There have been a number of issues at the SABC since late last year, that Parliament, and the public need to be fully appraised on, and answers provided:
The suspension of CEO, Frans Matlala, in November 2015. To date, no reasons have been provided for his suspension. According to media reports Mr Matlala was suspended for co-operating with Treasury in an investigation into board chairman, Obert Mughave and raising objections regarding irregularities related to the appointment of a law firm to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Minister Faith Muthambi is said to have given the go-ahead for the suspension without allowing Mr Matlala the opportunity to make representations in his defence.
The reasons for the almost R1million increase in Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s salary. Minister Muthambi has refused to make public the record of the decision for the unjustified and above-inflation increase in Motsoeneng’s salary. In reply to a parliamentary question, Minister Muthambi said, “records of decisions are confidential internal documents that should be kept as such.”
The firing of an Thobela FM journalist, Kgaohelo Magolego for allegedly failing to report on an event attended by Communications Minister Faith Muthambi. According to media reports, Magolego refused to interview Muthambi, stating the handing over of food parcels and blankets by the minister was not a story worth covering and instead asked her questions about Digital Migration. Muthambi allegedly complained to SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng, saying Magolego was asking her irrelevant questions. A few days after the event, Magolego was informed of the SABC’s intention to suspend him, pending a disciplinary hearing. He has since been fired.
The government’s the New Age adspend. In a reply to a parliamentary question, Minister Muthambi stated “No directive was received to spend more money onThe New Age than other newspapers.” The recent revelations by former GCIS CEO Themba Maseko, indicate that there was a directive for the GCIS and government departments to direct their adspend to the New Age. Minister Muthambi needs to come clean on this.
We trust that in the spirit of openness, accountability and in execution of Parliament’s constitutional duty to conduct oversight, the Chairperson of the committee will accede to our request and summon both Minister Muthambi and the SABC at the earliest opportunity.
For too many years, the SABC has lurched from crisis to crisis. It is time to fix it so that it can become a public broadcaster that South Africa can be proud of. The first step, is for Parliament to take its oversight role seriously and demand that problems at the SABC be fixed.
Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, 21 March 2016
