Suspended SABC CEO resigns, payout shrouded in secrecy

"We have settled our disputes with his lawyers and Mr Mokoetle has agreed to quit his post of CEO to pursue his career elsewhere. Yes, there is a payout, but we agreed between the parties that it will remain confidential," Gina said, as a smiling and jovial Mokoetle looked on.

Nicholson to continue as acting CEO

"For the moment, Mr Nicholson will continue serving as an acting CEO until we find a permanent CEO - a post, which he is welcome to apply if he wishes so.

A source told Bizcommunity.com afterwards that the former CEO's handshake is indeed 'golden' and 'nice', without elaborating.

Mokoetle said, "It is a sad day for me that I had to submit my resignation as a CEO. "Of course, it was not an easy decision to make, but for the interests of the nation and the SABC, and the interests of my family which endured so much pain for the past six months, I had to come to his stage.

"I leave with a heavy heart because I loved this organisation.

"I have nowhere to go"

"I am a broadcaster and will remain as such. I have nowhere to go for the moment. God will give me the ability to serve the nation in other ways. I thank the shareholders for assisting us to clear the path and come up with this settlement."

It is believed that Mokoetle's resignation, which came after a series of relentless negotiations behind the scenes with the board, his lawyers and the minister of communications, will save the embattled and cash-strapped government controlled organisation millions of rands in legal costs and other expenses related to the dispute.

Mokoetle, who was suspended last year for breach of contract and the failure to come up with a turnaround strategy to save the organisation, among others, was to be hauled before a disciplinary hearing that never came.

"Amicable"

He said, "After waiting for six months for the disciplinary process that never came, it became clear that the relationship with the SABC collapsed. So there was no way that we could work together. That is why I made up my mind. Instead of going to court and wasting more money which the organisation does not even have, I thought we can end this disruption in an amicable way."

Asked whether Mokoetle's permanent departure will bring stability to the SABC, Gina replied: "Yes, we can bring stability at this organisation by appointing a permanent CEO, a post that was left vacant for such a long time. Remember, we also have some vacant posts that need to be filled on a permanent basis.

"I want to tell the nation that our relationship with the chair is fine as we have turned the corner. We thank the minister and we are just waiting for Parliament to fill the four vacant posts of the board so that we can be one again."

For more:

• Mail & Guardian Online: SABC, Mokoetle part ways (great timeline)

Last updated at 3.12pm on 19 January 2011.