SABC executive, employees urge board to step down

“The exchange of correspondence and conversations between the board and some members of the group executive has once and for all confirmed what has always been our suspicion and position that the suspension of the group CEO was motivated by ulterior and improper motives, which have nothing to do with the best of interest of the SABC and does not enjoy the support of all board members,” SABC head of group strategy and risk management Sipho Sithole, surrounded by journalists and cheerful employees, read from a statement in front of Radio Park building.

“We have also learned in the media that the CEO was served with a separate letter preventing him from entering the SABC premises and from performing his duties.

“We believe that the contents of these letters have proven beyond any doubt that certain members of the board do not have the interest of the SABC, but are motivated by personal vendettas and to us this was the proverbial last straw.

“In the interest of the SABC, staff and public”

“In view of the above and while we have faith and hold certain members of the board in high esteem, we however lost all confidence in the collective and therefore call upon the board to step down with immediate effect in the interest of the SABC, its staff and the public we serve,” Sithole, flanked by spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago and group executive for content enterprise Mvuzo Mbebe, added.

“This is not a call we are making lightly, but one whose potential consequences we are fully aware of and made in the interest of the SABC and the public.”

Shortly after this, a number of employees present at the gathering also signed a petition, calling on the board to quit immediately.

A cheerful employee, who declined to be named, told Bizcommunity.com at the scene that a mass revolt might be on the cards if the situation does not improve soon.

Mbebe said, “Enough is enough. This institution is bleeding and we are losing good people. We want to restore its pride, so this current crisis cannot continue.”

Memorandum drafted before court case

Kganyago insisted that this memorandum was drafted before Dali Mpofu's court case and had nothing to do with the judgement court passed against the board.

Apart from Kganyago, Mbebe and Sithole, the memorandum was signed and endorsed by Charlotte Mampane (acting COO), Phumelele Ntombela-Nzimande (CPO), Thami Ntenteni (head of PBS Radio, currently in South Korea, but had endorsed the document) and Thabang Mathibe (acting GE for legal affairs).

Judging from yesterday's events, it appears that the SABC board, already under fire from ANC MPs allied to Jacob Zuma and pro-Zuma organisations such as YCL, SACP, ANCYL and COSATU, could be slowly but surely drowning into a sea full of sharks. The board was reportedly meeting last night to discuss its next move after the court's decision and the executive and employees' call to step down.

But later in the evening, board chairperson Khanyisiwe Mkhonza was quoted by Sabcnews.com as saying that only President Thabo Mbeki has the prerogative to suspend the board.

Earlier in the day, Judge Moroa J Tsoka dismissed with costs the board's application for leave to appeal brought before the Johannesburg High Court by Tim Bruinders and S L Makola, reiterating its early decision that the board acted unlawfully in suspending Mpofu.

“Frivolous application”

Twice-suspended and twice-reinstated Mpofu then made his way back to the Auckland Park towers immediately after the judgement, telling Bizcommunity.com: “I feel great and I am going back to the office right now, not tomorrow (Tuesday). This was a frivolous application. What a waste of time and resources!”

William Mukhari, Mpofu's lawyer, told Bizcommunity.com that if the board decides to submit another application and loses, the case might be struck off the roll.

Asked whether he would continue trusting and working with the board now that it looks as if the board is out to get him, he said: “Quite frankly, this board has lost moral authority and legitimacy to lead the corporation.”