'SABC chaos due to new ANC leadership'

Kgotso Khumalo says the suspensions are just a manifestation of bigger problems at the SABC

The Freedom Front Plus says the suspensions of SABC Group CEO, Dali Mpofu, and Group Executive News and Current Affairs, Snuki Zikalala, resulted from a change in leadership in the ANC. Party leader, Pieter Mulder, says the public broadcaster's problems started when ANC members in Parliament's portfolio committee on communications could no longer, with a clear conscience, consider new appointments to the SABC Board.

Mulder says the appointment of the SABC Board is no longer only pro-ANC, but distinctions are now between pro-Mbeki and pro-Zuma appointments. He says the suspensions of Zikalala and Mpofu are affecting the credibility of the corporation. He added that political subservient appointments are the surest way to destroy the SABC.

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) says there are more grounds for a vote of no confidence in the SABC Board. The ACDP’s spokesperson in Parliament, Steve Swart, believes this is the beginning of internal infighting between ANC factions within the SABC board and management. He says the ACDP is also starting to lose confidence in the SABC board. Swart has called on Parliament’s communications committee to intervene.

ANC Parliamentary Caucus Committee spokesperson, Khotso Khumalo, says the suspension of Mpofu and Zikalala is a manifestation of bigger problems at the SABC. “They came to Parliament; we asked … questions, they could not answer them. They fought right there in front of us - and now this issue is just a manifestation of a bigger problem … they cannot work together.”

SABC Board chairperson, Khanyisile Mkhonza, says their decision to suspend Mpofu was based on concerns they share with Parliament over the running of the public broadcaster.