More woes for ‘divided’ SABC board

Dr Bongani Khumalo

Dr Bongani Khumalo

Published Jan 11, 2015

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Johannesburg - The crisis-ridden SABC board has been thrown into further disarray with the recent resignation of a high-profile board member, Professor Bongani Khumalo.

This follows the resignation of its chairwoman, Ellen Tshabalala, who stepped down following a scandal involving her lying under oath about her qualifications.

The Sunday Independent has reliably learnt that Khumalo, who is also the chief executive of national lottery operator Gidani, is believed to have tendered his resignation following the resignation of Tshabalala. Though the reasons for Khumalo’s resignation remain sketchy, it raises questions about whether more resignations from the board are on the cards.

The board is believed to be riddled by factionalism, with members inherently divided over many issues that have plagued the SABC.

These include the permanent appointment of its chief operations officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng and other senior appointments made at the public broadcaster.

Khumalo, who was appointed in 2013 when an interim board that was running the public broadcaster was dissolved, would not comment on his resignation.

“While I fully appreciate and respect your work as a journalist and that you would make such enquiries, I ask you to understand and accept my choosing not to entertain your question on this matter pertaining to the SABC, its board and my relationship therewith right now,” said Khumalo.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago referred questions to the presidency and the ministry, saying board matters were dealt with at that level.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi’s spokesman, Ayanda Hollow, said they were unaware of the resignation as they had not received a resignation letter. “We have not received any communication to that effect.”

The Sunday Independent understands there is unease among board members after a letter from Muthambi to several board members asking them to provide reasons why they should not be suspended.

While Khumalo’s resignation is the one that could be independently verified, there are murmurings at the public broadcaster that others could follow.

This comes in the wake of a looming board meeting expected to take place at the end of the month, the first meeting to take place in the new year and since Tshabalala stepped down.

Tshabalala was forced to resign in December after Speaker Baleka Mbete’s recommendation to President Jacob Zuma she be suspended.

She stood to be suspended by Zuma but avoided this by voluntarily resigning while the president was considering the recommendation by the Speaker.

The Sunday Independent

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