Joint media statement following the meeting between Minister Yunus Carrim and the South African Broadcasting Corporation
Minister of Communications, Yunus Carrim and Deputy Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, met with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Board today. The meeting discussed the National Integrated ICT Policy Review, South Africa Connect - the country’s Broadband Policy, Plan and Strategy, the SABC’s strategic plan, SABC’s funding plan and the Public Protector’s report. The SABC reaffirmed their committed to supporting the National Integrated ICT Policy Review and South Africa Connect to ensure that broadcasting is positioned adequately into the future.
On the Public Protector’s report; the board reported that they have met twice to consider the report and that a process has been put in motion. The board undertook to give the Ministry of Communications an update by the end of March 2014 on the way forward.
“We have given the Board the legal opinion we received from the State Law Advisor. In their report, they are going to take into account this opinion,” said Deputy Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. The SABC welcomed the engagement with the Minister.
“The State Law Advisor’s opinion gives us additional pointers into how we should deal with this matter,” said SABC Chairperson Zandile Ellen Tshabalala.
The meeting agreed that this matter must be attended to expeditiously. There was also agreement that there was a need to review why the there was a high turnover of boards, Group Chief Executive Officers and other senior executives.
The meeting heard that there was substantial progress made in dealing with the matter of the suspended SABC Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The matter is expected to be resolved in due course.
For media enquiries:
Siya Qoza
Cell: 082 898 1657
E-mail: siya@doc.gov.za
