Maguvhe wrong man to fix SABC, say critics

Also, Obert Maguvhe's involvement in the sacking of three board members - Rachel Kalidass, Ronnie Lubisi and Hope Zinde - has been cited by critics as problematic because Parliament's legal office found that the move was illegal.

These two issues, observers said yesterday, raised questions about Prof Maguvhe's ability to stabilise the SABC, as well as his independence.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi is scheduled to appear before Parliament today to explain the SABC's memorandum of incorporation and field questions about the new developments at the broadcaster.

President Jacob Zuma announced Prof Maguvhe's appointment as SABC board chairman at the weekend, as well as that of Leah Khumalo, who is now deputy chairwoman.

Prof Maguvhe - an academic at the University of SA, who specialises in education for the visually impaired and is himself blind, had been acting chairman since the sudden resignation of Ellen Tshabalala, who misrepresented her qualifications.

Sekoetlane Phamodi, co-ordinator for the SOS: Support Public Broadcasting Coalition, said Prof Maguvhe's appointment was procedurally correct, as he was Tshabalala's deputy, but his track record as acting chairman was a matter of concern.

"Under him we have seen the board going out of its way to protect Hlaudi Motsoeneng (the chief operating officer), despite the damning findings against him by the public protector. We have also seen the SABC being slowly transformed into a state broadcaster".

"He allowed (Muthambi) to interfere with board affairs, which has blurred the lines between state and public broadcaster," said Phamodi.

Media Monitoring Africa director William Bird said: "Given the support he has demonstrated for Hlaudi (Motsoeneng), what we can read is that there is a clear signal of entrenching the actions and direction (Motsoeneng) is taking in the SABC."

The SABC board continues to be hobbled by instability. In addition to Tshabalala's resignation last year, Thembinkosi Bonakele and Bongani Khumalo quit the board.

It now has only six members, but is meant to have 12. As a result, it has been unable to take crucial decisions as it has failed to reach quorums, which require nine members.

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP and communications spokesman Gavin Davis said Prof Maguvhe and Khumalo had voted for Motsoeneng's appointment last year.

"This was in contravention of the public protector's directive that Motsoeneng be suspended and disciplined for lying about his matric certificate."

Zuma should rescind Prof Maguvhe's appointment until Parliament's legal opinion on the sacking of the three board members was dealt with, Davis said.

Prof Maguvhe could not be reached for comment yesterday and the Department of Communications was yet to respond to requests for comment.

Source: Business Day