Johannesburg - The noose is tightening around beleaguered Communications Minister Faith Muthambi as ANC MPs and members of its powerful National Executive Committee (NEC) push to have her disciplined for defying both cabinet and party positions on key issues.
While in office, Muthambi has overseen South Africa’s R4.3 billion set-top box tender. If she is ousted, this could further delay digital migration.
In an unprecedented move this week, the ANC publicly rebuked Muthambi and denounced her statement as inaccurate after she claimed that the digital migration policy was “not up for reversal” and had not even been discussed in the commission and plenary session dealing with the matter at the National General Council resolution (NGC).
Muthambi implied that she had the backing of the party on the exclusion of encryption capability for government sponsored set-top boxes, which the ANC has always favoured, to stimulate competition in the free-to-air television sector.
This political fight will hit the business and the economy as South Africa falls behind the international switch from analogue to digital terrestrial television.
Deadline
During Muthambi’s term, South Africa missed the June 17 deadline set by the International Telecommunication Union for the switchover.
Her ministry is responsible for the Independent Communications Authority of SA, SABC, Brand SA, Media Development and Diversity Agency, and Film and Publication Board.
If Muthambi is ousted, it could also disrupt the functioning of these entities.
ANC MP and chairman of the party’s subcommittee on communications Jackson Mthembu, flanked by fellow committee members Lindiwe Sisulu and Siyabonga Cwele, described her utterances as unfortunate and inaccurate.
“It is unfortunate that Minister Muthambi… opted again to speak on ANC decisions un-mandated and in the process she unfortunately accused the chairperson of the subcommittee (Mthembu) of being a liar.”
A number of MPs and NEC members this week said there was a fierce lobby for President Jacob Zuma to take drastic measures against Muthambi and possibly remove her from her position as she was seen as an embarrassment to Zuma and the party.
An ANC MP said Muthambi’s latest denouncement of the NGC directives on digital migration and problems at the SABC were “the last straw”.
“This is unheard of that a minister who is not even a member of the NEC can opt to defy the movement so openly,” said the MP.
“She has plotted her own downfall and even though we have been prepared to give her a benefit of the doubt she has clearly crossed the line.”
ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa was not immediately available for comment.
But an NEC member said Muthambi had chosen a confrontational path against the party, even after the ANC tried to call her to order.
The member, who holds a cabinet position, cited Muthambi’s refusal to attend party and parliamentary committee meetings to discuss the communications strategy, her decision to remove cabinet spokeswoman Phumla Williams as the chief executive of the Government Communications and Information System without consulting the party, and her loyal support for embattled SABC chief operations officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng as examples of her disregard for party positions.
“Every time she is asked to explain herself she tells us that she was appointed by the president and, therefore, is only answerable to him,” explained the member.
“Even the President does consult with the NEC and we think that she is misrepresenting him, now that cannot be allowed to go on forever.”
Muthambi’s spokesman Mish Molakeng said: “As far as we are concerned there are processes in place that deal with such and from our side, we would not want to comment further.”
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