JOHANNESBURG (Sapa) - The SABC's news and current affairs head Snuki Zikalala will leave the broadcaster at the end of the month.

"The contract of the head of news and current affairs, Dr Snuki Zikalala, will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the month," the SABC said in a statement on Tuesday.

"This decision follows a special board meeting held in Johannesburg on Saturday."

Board chairwoman Kanyi Mkonza said Zikalala had "surfed through difficult water" and that the board wanted someone with "fresh ideas".

Journalist Phil Molefe would take over from Zikalala in an acting capacity from May 1 whilst a replacement was sought.

The board said it remained "concerned" about the state of the corporation's finances.

"It will work around the clock to ensure that the turnaround strategy announced a few weeks ago bears some fruit."

Chief financial officer Rob Nicholson had briefed the board about the state of the organisation's finances.

"We continue to monitor this on an ongoing basis with a view to returning the organisation to a healthy financial position," Mkonza said.

The board also "took exception" to the some SABC employees allegedly leaking information to the media. This would be investigated and could be reported to relevant law enforcement authorities.

"These leaks, indulged in recklessly and often feeding false material, damage the reputation of individuals as well as that of the SABC."

Besides the replacement of Zikalala, the news division was in store for other changes. At least three bureaus, including those in Jamaica, Kinshasa and one of the two in the US, would be closed.

The appointment of a chief operating officer was being reviewed and had been referred back to acting Communications Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.

"This is done in order to ensure that the minister applies her mind to the original recommendation of the previous board. The position had been vacant since 2007.

The board was also extending its advertisement to find a suitable group chief executive officer until the end of May.

Board committees would be reduced to six -- public broadcasting services and news; public commercial services; audit and risk; finance, investment and procurement; governance, nominations and remuneration; and a group executive committee.

The ad-hoc committee dealing with the Fifa 2010 world cup would continue its work.

"This will be buttressed by an additional committee to give more focus to the digital terrestrial television (DTT) issues," the board said.

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