Johannesburg - Jimi Matthews has become the latest CEO in a long list to leave the SABC under somewhat of a cloud. Here’s a list, based on available information, of all the public broadcaster’s heads since the dawn of democracy.
1994 - 1997: Zwelakhe Sisulu reorganised the broadcaster to fit in with a democratic South Africa, but caused a controversy when he redistributed resources for other languages besides Afrikaans, which had received special privileges under the Apartheid system.
1998 - 2000: The broadcaster announces that its new CEO would be Reverend Hawu Mbatha. Mbatha previously presented religious programmes on Radio Zulu and had also been a former SABC's regional manager in Kwa-Zulu Natal, before taking up a post as CE of its radio division. A report just after his appointment in May said his selection was surprising as he had trounced favourites who had applied, such as SABC programme director Mandla Langa, Sisulu's deputy Govin Reddy and well known academic Professor Njabulo Ndebele.
May 2000: Mbatha is sidelined with the broadcaster announcing he has been relieved of his duties, “with immediate effect”, 18 months before his contract was due to expire. Cecilia Khuzwayo, the senior general manager of human resources. is appointed as acting group chief executive.
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December 2000: Peter Matlare is appointed but steps down in January 2005 after Snuki Zikalala returns to news. SAPA reported that Matlare has decided to leave the SABC under strain.
August 2005: Attorney and ANC supporter Dali Mpofu is appointed as CEO. He is later suspended a day after suspending Zikalala, then the group executive of news and current affairs. His time at the SABC was marred by controversy and allegations of financial mismanagement, political interference and sidelining of critics.
May 2008: Gabs Mampone briefly replaces Mpofu during his suspension.
February 2009: Mpofu resigns as CEO
December 2009: Solly Mokoetle replaces Mpofu, and is appointed by a friend he made in exile, the then controversial communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda.
January 2011: Mokoetle resigns as SABC CEO, reportedly due to an "irretrievable breakdown" in the relationship between him and the SABC’s board. He had briefly been suspended.
March 2011: Jimi Matthews is appointed as as head of TV news and Mike Siluma as head of radio news.
January 2012: Lulama Mokhobo is appointed as the SABC's new CEO. She previously chaired Miranda Minerals,, which later collapsed. Then communications Minister Dina Pule announced Mokhobo's appointment a day after she quit Miranda's board. A Mail & Guardian investigation on August 3, 2012 reveals Mokhobo is the aunt of businessman Phosane Mngqibisa, who allegedly had close ties with Pule.
February 2014: Lulama Mokhobo quits as CEO.
Read also: ‘SABC on a slippery slope’
July 2014: Hlaudi Motsoeneng appointed against the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s advice.
July 2015: Frans Matlala is appointed as head of the broadcaster, becoming the ninth appointment since 1994. He filled a post that had been left open for more than a year by Lulama Mokhobo who resigned from the position.
September 2015: Matlala suspended four months after being appointed, allegedly for helping National Treasury probe the SABC’s procurement practices.
November 2015: Jimi Mathews is appointed as acting CEO. He quits in July saying he can no longer work for the broadcaster and be complicit in decisions with which he does not agree.
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Sources: News reports, Internet articles and SABC insiders.