The SABC has told the Parliament’s Communications Committee that popular sports presenter, Robert Marawa, was informed three months prior to the end of his contract that it would not be renewed.
The termination of Marawa’s contract was raised by one of the members of the committee who questioned the way he left the public broadcaster.
Although Communications Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni requested the SABC to respond, she, however, cautioned members to avoid making it a tendency to get involved in employee relations matters.
SABC COO Ian Platjies says as part of cost reduction, the SABC started reducing independent contractors a year ago, but no contractor was dismissed until their contracts ended.
“In the case of Robert Marawa he had a three-year contract with the SABC, the SABC informed him three months prior to his contract coming to an end that it would not be renewed. He posted a tweet that erroneously stated that his contract was cancelled by a text on the same day. Robert in an interview on eNCA admitted to being informed by the SABC three months prior to his contract coming to an end that it was not being renewed. The SABC is satisfied with the current talent that it has and there has been no impact.”
