SABC inquiry adjourns to August

The commission of inquiry into the SABC's use of independent political analysts has adjourned to August after three days of hearings in which submissions from 19 people were heard.

"We are very encouraged by the response to our call for submissions, and believe we have made progress in determining how decisions are taken on the use of analysts by the SABC," reported a joint statement by commission heads, Zwelakhe Sisulu and Advocate Gilbert Marcus SC, on their investigation to date.

"At this stage, several parties are still due to make submissions to the commission. As we both have other matters to attend to outside this commission, we will reconvene in early August to hear further testimony.

"The range of views and the quality of submissions have definitely helped us to clarify which factors influence decisions around the use of analysts, and to understand the professional environment in which such decisions are taken.

"We are also building an understanding of how the issue is dealt with by other public broadcasters, to enable us to provide an assessment of the SABC's policies.
No further comment will be made at this stage," their statement concluded.