Parliament – South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board chairman Mbulaheni Maguvhe led a walkout of executives from a parliamentary inquiry into the affairs of the public broadcaster on Wednesday after MPs turned down another last-ditch attempt to delay the probe.
Board chairman Maguvhe, through his legal team, requested from the committee that reports of the Auditor-General, Public Protector and Independent Communications Authority of South Africa be translated to braille, as not doing so could "jeopordise him", Vincent Smith, the chairman of Parliament's ad hoc committee conducting the inquiry, told MPs.
This request came after MPs decided to continue with the inquiry despite Maguvhe having informed them he was appealing a ruling in the high court in Cape Town on Friday in which his application to interdict the inquiry from going ahead was dismissed.
MPs accused Maguvhe, the only non-executive board member left after a string of resignations over the past few weeks, of stalling tactics.
Smith referred to a letter he sent to Maguvhe in November informing him that if he required an interpreter, he should submit a request to the committee "at least seven days before the inquiry".
In addition, the committee had sent all its communications to the board in "word" format, as requested, so it could be translated to braille for Maguvhe who is blind. Democratic Alliance MP, Phumzile van Damme, described the latest request by Maguvhe as a "vexacious, pathetic attempt to try and delay this committee".
Economic Freedom Fighters MP, Fana Mokoena, agreed, saying: "I think Mr Maguvhe and his legal team are not taking us seriously."
African National Congress MP Makhosi Khoza had the final say and summed up the sentiments of committee members. "This process is inevitable. It's going to take place anyway. Besides what we are talking about is a public institution here...we're not talking about top-secret documents," she said. "I honestly don't think it's reasonable on their side to think that we are going to tolerate that. In as much as we are very accommodating...there is a time we have to put our foot down and say No!"
On that note, Smith ruled the inquiry would continue without delay.
At this stage, Maguvhe, his legal team, and SABC executives rose from their seats and staged a walkout. MPs were undeterred, with testimony from the auditor-general's office continuing as soon as the grouping left the room.