Why SABC boss won’t back down

Capetown-140916-SABC board chairperson Ellen Tshabalala and SABC COO Hlaudi Mostoeneng during the SABC meeting that was held in Parliament old chamber -Picture by Bheki Radebe

Capetown-140916-SABC board chairperson Ellen Tshabalala and SABC COO Hlaudi Mostoeneng during the SABC meeting that was held in Parliament old chamber -Picture by Bheki Radebe

Published Oct 14, 2014

Share

 

Cape Town - A heated exchange has taken place between the under-fire SABC chairwoman, Ellen Tshabalala, and the communications committee chairwoman, Joyce Moloi Moropa, with the former accusing the committee of “malice” and “unfair” treatment.

Correspondence between the two shows how an upset Tshabalala took issue with the committee’s intention to conduct an inquiry into allegations that she lied about her academic qualifications, and how the committee unanimously resolved to suspend her pending the inquiry.

The inquiry starts on Tuesday.

The letters, seen by Independent Media, were written after last month’s meeting, where the committee took the decision to conduct an inquiry. The letters indicate that Tshabalala plans to take on the committee and fight to keep her job despite calls for her to resign.

Tshabalala wrote that during the committee meeting in September, she provided a response on her qualification and there was no indication that it was “inadequate”.

“To my surprise, as soon as I left Parliament, the (committee), under your chairmanship, arranged for the media to broadcast its discussions on the issue of my qualifications and its recommendations that I should be suspended as chairman of the SABC.

“I am really disappointed and taken aback that you would allow such malice under your leadership and would like to understand the reasons behind this unjust act,” wrote Tshabalala.

She said the rules of “natural justice” and the constitution required Parliament to give her a hearing.

“Your decision to ask the National Assembly to recommend my suspension pending the inquiry to the appointing authority (President Jacob Zuma) is a violation of my constitutional right,” said Tshabalala.

Responding, Moloi-Moropa said Tshabalala was offered an extension to submit her response to the allegations by no later than August 26.

“You have, to date, failed and/or refused to furnish the committee with your written response to our letter of July 30, 2014, or furnish the committee with proof of your academic qualifications,” wrote Moloi-Moropa.

She said the National Assembly and its committee were constitutionally obliged to conduct meetings in an “open manner” and to include the media was “justifiable”.

Moloi-Moropa said Tshabalala’s accusation that the committee arranged for the media to broadcast its discussions lacked factual basis.

“Therefore no malice on the part of the committee was intended as suggested by you (Tshabalala). I further confirm the committee’s resolution to request the president… to suspend you from office pending the outcome of the inquiry,” she said.

She reminded Tshabalala that the president and not the committee “is the appointing body with the authority to suspend board members”.

“I look forward to seeing you at the hearing on Tuesday, October 14,” concluded Moloi Moropa.

DA communications spokesman Gavin Davis, who initiated the inquiry on July 14, said it had been three months since he called for the parliamentary inquiry.

“All she (Tshabalala) needs to do is explain why Unisa says that she doesn’t have the qualifications… If she can convince the committee that Unisa erred, then she will keep her job. If she can’t, we will have… to recommend that the president removes her from office,” said Davis.

Political Bureau

Related Topics: