"I want to state it clearly that Mapule was never suspended. These are only allegations coming from the unions. I don't know where some people get this kind of news from," Kganyago said. "As for her resignation, there is no confusion. She has written a letter, saying she is retiring from the SABC. She is serving one month notice for the whole of June, after which she will leave."
CWU accuses the SABC top brass of abuse of power and attempting to purge and victimise workers. The union said the SABC's failure to explain Mapule's departure in detail will reinforce the suspicion that there is bullying in the SABC newsroom in pursuit of a sectarian agenda.
A source close to SABC News told Bizcommunity.com last night: "It is true. There is so much bullying going on there. It is really frustrating and some of us want to leave."
Mbhalati, a member of BEMAWU, refuses to comment without the SABC's permission.
BEMAWU said: "We do not say there are no compelling reasons for Ms. Mbhalati's request for early retirement, but we do not wish to comment about those reasons at this point in time. At an appropriate time we may do so."
Furthermore, CWU called on the SABC board to investigate the authenticity of a text message circulated by Molefe instructing SABC News senior personnel to censor news opposed to his appointment, particularly from COSATU and its affiliates.
Kganyago said: "There is no truth in that statement. All Molefe said was that all the ANC news must pass through him. It is understandable because he is the editor-in-chief. "If that is what they call censorship, then I don't know any more the meaning of censorship".
Asked if Molefe is now officially the SABC's permanent head of news, he replied: "All I know is that he was introduced to the news staff yesterday [Tuesday]. I won't comment further."
Meanwhile, minister of communications Siphiwe Nyanda is said to be 'very concerned' about what is going on now at the SABC. Nyanda's spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said late last night in a statement: "The minister has noted with concern developments surrounding the appointing of the SABC head of news and current affairs."
The minister, who will meet the board 'soon', is calling for calm and restraint and urges board members to refrain from making statements while this issue is being dealt with.
Last week Friday, civil society group SOS Support Public Broadcasting called on SABC board chair Dr Ben Ngubane to resign over the 'dictatorial' decision to permanently appoint Molefe as head of news. Bizcommunity.com's multiple efforts to get Dr Ngubane to comment proved unsuccessful. He has not replied to SMSes, voice messages and emails sent to him.
