The board expressed the view that the group CEO, Luluma Mokhobo, was within her rights to place an executive on special leave in terms of the organisation's employment policies. She is also, in terms of the editorial policy, editor-in-chief and is accountable for the quality of news on its platforms.
It reportedly has nothing to do with interfering with editorial independence of the news division. The organisation remains committed to fair, objective news coverage and supports innovative journalism so that the topical issues in South Africa and the world can be covered fairly and be told.
The SABC is protected in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Broadcasting Act of the Republic of South Africa and is bound to provide fair, proportionate, impartial and professional news coverage.
A professional team of executives, who have a high standing in journalism both in South Africa and internationally, lead the editorial team and to suggest that they are acting in place of Molefe for political reasons, would be to undermine the professional standing of Jimi Matthews and his entire staff.
Fair and accurate news coverage is enshrined in the editorial policy, the Broadcasting Act and is regulated and monitored by ICASA.
The board has mandated Mokhobo to deal with the HR related matters that pertain to Molefe speedily and if possible find an amicable solution.
The board is constantly apprised of the business of the broadcaster and its sub-committees are functional. The performance of the organisation overall has improved because of this oversight.
The board wishes to assure the South African public that it is committed to presiding over a public broadcaster that produces fair, impartial and interesting news coverage for the citizens of the country.
