INLSA

Jimmy Manyi

The presidency on Tuesday defended its appointment of government spokesman Jimmy Manyi to the board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

The law allowed for the president to make three of the nine appointments to the MDDA board without Parliament's approval, spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

“The law is very clear on how the nine members of the board be appointed,” Maharaj said.

The appointments were in line with sections 4(1)(b) and 4(1)(c) of the Media Development and Diversity Agency Act.

“Section 4(1)(b) of the act says six members be appointed by the president on the recommendation of Parliament.”

However section 4(1)(c), states that the remaining three members be appointed directly by the president.

Maharaj was responding to criticism of Manyi's appointment by the Democratic Alliance.

Party spokeswoman Natasha Michael called Manyi's appointment “ill-considered” and said President Jacob Zuma should limit the damage by revoking it immediately. There was no consultation with Parliament before the appointments were made, she added.

The DA felt Manyi's political influence, his past conduct and his “prejudiced views” made him unfit for the position.

On Monday, Zuma announced Manyi was among a five member team appointed to serve a three-year term. The others were Phenyo Nonqane, Rene Smith, Thato Mahapa and Ingrid Louw.

Zuma's office said the appointment of the five-member team followed recommendations from the National Assembly. Manyi would serve as a representative of the Government Communication and Information System and remain government spokesman.

Manyi said he had “nothing to say”.

Michael said the DA would canvas other political parties to support its proposal for Manyi's removal from the board.

The resolution will be tabled when Parliament sits next month.

-Sapa