SABC to get rid of over 55-year-old employees?

The source said the public broadcaster's employees falling under this age category were said to be in tears in the past few days, demanding answers from their respective unions.

"The unions told the SABC that 'you haven't even started with consultations and you already want to get rid of employees', that's unlawful," according to the source.

Centre of the agenda

They are having a meeting this Friday with the unions about this turnaround strategy, and it is likely that this issue will be at the centre of the agenda, the source said.

Approached for comment, SABC Kaizer Kganyago denied that the public broadcaster ever communicated such a message. "Really, I don't know where that comes from," he said, adding that people were making their own assumptions and going public about this issue.

However, it is understood that the SABC was stopped in its track by the unions, which slammed this unfair practice before proper consultations about the turnaround strategy even began.

The SABC, which is said to be going through a serious management crisis, has been locked into a battle for survival - to turn things around as quickly as possible to bring the corporation back to the old golden days, when profits soared and staff smiled all year round.

No crisis, Molefe claims

But in a surprise move, newly-appointed acting CEO Phil Molefe told SABC2's Morning Live today, Tuesday, 5 July 2011, that there is no crisis at the public broadcaster, claiming that the board and management are continuing their work without interruption.

And in a sign that the 'Nicholson CEO War' is only a drop of water that cannot affect the entire SABC ocean, Kganyago reiterated today that all is well in Auckland Park.

"Of course, there is no crisis," he told Bizcommunity.com. "Why will Nicholson leaving become a crisis for the SABC?" he wondered. "SABC is not about an individual. Nicholson's contract ended just like other people's contracts ended and they left. SABC is about broadcasting, so broadcasting continues as usual."

Asked if his organisation were aware of the impending Robin Nicholson court case over the CEO position, he replied: "The Nicholson court case will be dealt with in court and not here at the SABC. Many people do take us to court, to the CCMA and we always deal with that, and why should the Nicholson case be any different?"

Alleged ANC interference shocks many

Meanwhile, weekend reports about the ruling ANC allegedly interfering in the selection process of the permanent appointment of SABC CEO have shocked many quarters.

Hannes du Buisson, president of BEMAWU - a media union - said yesterday: "This is very, very worrying. Competent black people seemingly can no longer qualify for top jobs, unless you have been actively involved in the ANC.

"This is another form of dictatorship. Although not killed physically if you disagree with the ruling party, you are 'killed' economically and career-wise.

"Since when does one's political affiliation qualifies (or disqualifies) you for a job? We cannot let this go without any action."