Suspended SABC CFO James Aguma may have resigned in the middle of the disciplinary hearing yesterday, but he still has to provide answers if he is implicated in the investigations under way at the public broadcaster.
This was the sentiment expressed after Aguma resigned while a disciplinary hearing against him was under way.
He had threatened to have the court declare unlawful the disciplinary hearing - in which he faced charges for alleged breach of fiduciary duties, dishonesty in entering into agreements with two companies, and dishonesty in the affidavit in a disciplinary of dismissed employee Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
While the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) described the resignation as an admission of guilt, the official opposition used the opportunity to reiterate the “urgent need” for Speaker Baleka Mbete to table the report that identified people who lied to the ad hoc committee into SABC affairs.
Scopa chairperson Themba Godi said Scopa took the resignation as an admission of guilt for the financial mess that the SABC finds itself in.
“Mr Aguma might have avoided scrutiny on a litany of charges that he was facing - but as Scopa we call on the SABC interim board to pursue its investigation to ascertain criminal liability on the part of all officials and managers at the SABC, including Mr Aguma,” he said.
Godi also said the SABC internal forensic audit unit and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) should expedite their processes so those liable were held accountable for the irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
Communications portfolio committee chairperson Humphrey Maxegwana said:
“The committee would have loved for Mr Aguma to stay, in order for the disciplinary process to continue so that he could have an opportunity to clear his name.”
DA deputy chief whip Mike Waters said Aguma’s resignation did not mean he was going to be let off the hook for his part in the institutional breakdown at the SABC.
“Aguma’s convenient exit reiterates the urgent need for the Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, to table the report into those who lied during Parliament’s SABC Inquiry,” he said.
“Aguma is no doubt named in the report and now faces a fine and/or imprisonment for violating the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act.”
Nyami Booi, chairperson of ANC study group in Scopa, said the resignation vindicated Scopa, that Aguma was not working there for its interests.
Booi said the R5.1 billion cost incurred by the public broadcasters in financial mismanagement under Aguma’s watch remained outstanding and needed an explanation.
SABC interim board chairperson Khanyisile Kweyama said charges against Aguma had been dropped.
“We have handed over a number of matters to SIU, some around possible criminal activities,” Kweyama said.