President Jacob Zuma could be dragged before a court yet again, this time for allegedly stalling the appointment of a permanent SABC board.
The EFF, through its
lawyers, wrote to him and gave him an ultimatum to appoint the board or risk facing legal action as early as next week.
In the letter sent to Zuma on Thursday, the EFF raised concerns that the SABC has been without a board for two weeks, despite Parliament having recommended the permanent appointment of the former interim board members over a month ago.
“We demand that the president should appoint members of the board of the SABC from the Assembly’s recommended names, after a due process, no later than close of business on Monday.
“Should the president fail to do so, the EFF will immediately institute legal proceedings before the Constitutional Court on an urgent basis, seeking declaratory orders,” the letter read.
Presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga had not responded to questions on the ultimatum at the time of publication.
Pressure has been mounting on Zuma to appoint
a permanent board since
the interim board’s six months’ term ended almost two weeks ago.
On Thursday, Zuma said he needed to satisfy himself that the interim board members “are fit and proper persons to serve on the board” and that he needed to verify their qualifications.
READ MORE: Zuma denies his 'preferences' are behind SABC board delay
Independent Media can reveal that all the former interim-board members had been requested to submit certified copies of proof of their qualifications and other relevant documents this past Monday. Almost a week later, the SABC was still without a board.
This was despite the SA Qualifications Authority confirming on Saturday that it had completed the verification process and submitted the outcome to the Department of Communications on Thursday.
It had been reported that Zuma was stalling on appointing a permanent board because he doesn’t trust the chairperson, Khanyisile Kweyama, and deputy chair, Mathatha Tsedu.
Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo was allegedly also a stumbling block in the appointment of the board.
“She (Dlodlo) tried to convince the (parliamentary communications portfolio) committee not to appoint the entire interim board,” said a source familiar with the developments.
Dlodlo denied that she was interfering in the SABC’s corporate affairs.