Communications committee set to begin inquiry into SABC board
The Portfolio Committee on Communications will next week on Wednesday, 19 October 2016, begin its inquiry into the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) with regard to its fitness to hold office, in terms of section 15A of the Broadcasting Act of 1999.
The Committee has agreed unanimously among the various parties that there are serious challenges with the current Board and that intervention is needed. It further believes that the challenges have been exacerbated by the resignations of two non-executive members of the Board during a Committee meeting last week.
Through the office of its Chairperson, Mr Humphrey Maxegwana, the Committee is now writing to the remaining members of the Board, those who resigned and others who might provide critical information to inform them of the forthcoming inquiry.
Section 15A(1)(b) of the Act provides a procedure for the National Assembly to recommend that the board of the SABC be dissolved. It can only make such a recommendation after due inquiry and upon specific grounds, including: (1) the inability of the board to discharge its fiduciary duties; (2) non-adherence to the Broadcasting Charter; and (3) not carrying out its duties as contemplated in section 13(11).
If such a recommendation is made, as the appointing authority, the President must dissolve the board. The Act also provides for an interim board to be appointed for a period not exceeding six months.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Justice Molafo
Tel: 021 403 8444
Cell: 081 424 7481
E-mail: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
