SABC CEO quits: “What is happening at the SABC is wrong”

 ·27 Jun 2016
SABC sinking stricken ship

Acting SABC CEO Jimi Matthews has resigned from the broadcaster, it was reported on Monday.

The executive did not mince words in his resignation letter, which he posted on Twitter.

Addressed to Prof Mbulaheni Maguvhe, chairman of the SABC Board, Matthews said in his letter that the “corrosive atmosphere” at the broadcaster has negatively impacted his moral judgement.

He said he had become complicit in decisions which he had not been proud of.

Under the leadership of COO Hlaudi Motsoenening, the SABC has taken a firm stance towards any news items that paint the government in a negative light.

Most notable was the broadcaster’s decision to outright censor any footage of “violent protests”, as well as any other media coverage bringing attention to civil unrest across the country.

The broadcaster has suspended three senior journalists who refused to abide by the censorship policy.

“For many months I have compromised the values that I hold dear,” Matthews said.

“What is happening at the SABC is wrong, and I can no longer be a part of it.”

Read the full letter below.

Prof Maguvhe
Chair of the SABC Board

Dear Sir,

It is with great sadness that I tender my immediate resignation. For many months I have compromised the values that I hold dear under the mistaken belief that I could be more effective inside the SABC than outside, passing comment from the side-lines.

In the process the prevailing corrosive atmosphere has impacted negatively on my moral judgement and has made me complicit in many decision which I am not proud of.

I wish also to apologise to the many people who I’ve let down by remaining silent when my voice needed to be heard.

What is happening at the SABC is wrong and I can no longer be a part of it.

Yours sincerely,

Jimi Matthews
Groups CEO (Acting)

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