Communications Minister Faith Muthambi has launched a bid to take full control of the SABC, according to a report in the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n
Muthambi has introduced legislation that would give her the final say on who is appointed to the broadcaster\u2019s board, which has been backed by cabinet.<\/p>\n
The Broadcasting Amendment Bill was tabled on 4 December, and will effectively turn the SABC into a state broadcaster \u2013 one which is controlled by the minister.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also allows for a nomination committee to be set up by Muthambi to recommend candidates ,\u201d stated the report.<\/p>\n
The bill also aims\u00a0to reduce the number of non-executive board members from 12 to 9, and the number of members needed for a\u00a0quorum from 9 to 7.<\/p>\n
According to the report, Muthambi is currently\u00a0unpopular within the ANC and\u00a0some leaders are taking exception to her behaviour \u2013 notably her disregard for the party\u2019s\u00a0subcommittee on communication.<\/p>\n
A member of the ANC\u2019s subcommittee told the Sunday Times that Muthambi had defied the party, and that there would \u201cbe a fight\u201d over the bill.<\/p>\n
Franz Kruger, who was part of the first post-apartheid management team of the SABC, told the newspaper\u00a0the amendment bill was a problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have fought long and hard so that we are where we have public broadcasting. This takes us back to a situation where the SABC would be a state broadcaster,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Earlier in 2015,\u00a0Muthambi amended the SABC\u2019s memorandum of incorporation \u2013 giving her the power to\u00a0appoint its CEO, COO,\u00a0and financial officers. She also increased her powers to approve all the board\u2019s business and strategic plans.<\/p>\n
Muthambi was also behind the appointment of\u00a0Hlaudi Motsoeneng as COO, an appointment which the\u00a0High Court in Cape Town declared \u201cunlawful and irrational\u201d.<\/p>\n
Muthambi is also accused of appointing television head of news Jimi Matthews as acting CEO without consulting the board.<\/p>\n
The full report is available in the Sunday Times \u2013 6 December 2015 edition.<\/em><\/p>\n SABC charges COO with misconduct, abuse and dishonesty<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Motsoeneng court order makes Parliament\u2019s Nkandla reports invalid: DA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Motsoeneng loses court bid to block suspension<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on the SABC<\/h3>\n