Minister says her hands are tied in SABC saga

The Minister says there is not much she can do to influence what is taking place at the SABC

Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri says there is little she can do to intervene in the SABC's apparent power struggle between the board and the executive.

She has, nevertheless, expressed concern at the suspension of SABC CEO, Dali Mpofu, and Head of News, Snuki Zikalala. Addressing a media briefing in Parliament, she said she was confident that current difficulties would be overcome, without any further damage to the image of the SABC.

The board was responsible for appointing the SABC's executives, so "they have to hire and fire", she said. Asked whether she did not think the time had come to intervene, Matsepe-Casaburri said legislation allowed her to do very little and her task was simply to "supervise" the work of the SABC.

"Having explained that ... we are all concerned about what has happened at the SABC, but we are also confident that we will be able to overcome the difficulties that are there," she said.

The board had reported to her on developments and "certain actions" were being taken.