Parliament to meet urgently over SABC suspensions

Sanef has expressed concern over suspensions at the SABC

Parliament is to convene an urgent Communications Portfolio Committee meeting to discuss the crisis at the SABC.

This comes after the SABC board suspended Group Chief Executive Dali Mpofu last night.
Yesterday Mpofu suspended SABC head of news Snuki Zikalala. Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburi says she will interact with all parties concerned. Meanwhile, Group Executive of Commercial Enterprises Gab Mampone has been appointed as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.

Last week, ANC members of the communications committee expressed a lack of confidence in the SABC board. Yesterday the two suspensions followed. Both Mpofu and Zikalala were accused of serious misconduct. The board said Mpofu allegedly refused and/or failed to abide and implement its decisions. Today the board chairperson said the developments would not affect the day-to-day running of the public broadcaster, nor projects like next year’s general election and the 2010 World Cup.

Matsepe-Casaburri says she will ensure the SABC delivered on its mandate. Expressing great concern about the suspensions, she said she would also ensure the broadcaster's image did "not suffer further damage".

Parliament's communications committee will probe the matter further.

The ANC parliamentary caucus is expected to discuss the issue at its weekly meeting tomorrow.