Chairperson of the SABC Board Bongumusa Makhathini says it’s totally committed to ensuring the broadcaster’s continued independence in compliance with the Constitution, the Broadcasting Act and other laws.
Makhathini released a statement after the Minister of Communication’s announcement that she had lodged an appeal against a recent judgement limiting her powers in the appointment of the top three SABC executives.
Makhathini says the SABC is currently seeking legal advice on the judgement and the grounds for appeal detailed in the papers filed by the Minister of Communications, Mmaloko Kubayi-Ngubane. This, in relation to a ruling by judge Matojane in the case of SOS and others v SABC and others.
The ruling, in part, refers to the appointment of the top three executives of the SABC – Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Chief Operations Officer (COO) and the Chief Financial Officer at the public public broadcaster.
The court ruled in October that the executives should be appointed solely by the board without any requirement of approval by the minister of communications.
“While no Board decisions have been taken yet, we are involved in an intense and detailed process to find and scrutinize the right executive candidates to lead the SABC into the next era. We will also take into account legal advice from senior counsel on the lawful process to be followed in making these appointments,” reads in part the statement released by the SABC on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Board is totally committed to ensuring the SABC’s continued independence in compliance with the Constitution and the Broadcasting Act and other laws.
MEDIA STATEMENT
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SABC BOARD, BONGUMUSA MAKHATHINI
Johannesburg, Wednesday, 08 November 2017- The Minister of Communications announced yesterday that an appeal has been lodged against the judgement by Matojane J in the case of SOS and others v SABC and others.
The SABC is currently seeking senior counsel legal advice on the judgement and the grounds for appeal detailed in the papers filed by the Minister of Communications, in particular those that relate to the appointment of the top three executives of the SABC.
Given that all our top three executives are serving in an acting capacity, an urgent priority is the appointment of a new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Chief Operations Officer (COO) and the Chief Financial Officer. While no Board decisions have been taken yet, we are involved in an intense and detailed process to find and scrutinize the right executive candidates to lead the SABC into the next era. We will also take into account legal advice from senior counsel on the lawful process to be followed in making these appointments.
The Board is totally committed to ensuring the SABC’s continued independence in compliance with the Constitution and the Broadcasting Act and other laws.
Issued by Group Communications on behalf of the SABC Board
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Kaizer Kganyago
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