The SABC will not respond to questions about any of the issues highlighted in href=”https://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=747154″ target=_blank mce_href=”https://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=747154″a Sunday Times article according to which the SABC board is planning to fire group chief executive Dali Mpofu.
align=justifyTheMediaOnline asked SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago on Monday (14 April) if the SABC has made a decision on possible action following an arbitor’s decision against the public broadcaster in a dispute over broadcasting rights for the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
align=justifyKganyago said because this was one of the issues mentioned in the Sunday Times report, the SABC would not comment. “At the moment we are not responding to any of those issues. If there are issues to be dealt with, we will do so in a board meeting, not in the media.”
align=justifyAccording to the Sunday Times article the board is “hatching a plan” to sack Mpofu for dereliction of duty. This is, among other things, related to the SABC’s failure to secure the PSL broadcasting rights.
align=justifyWhen it was put to Kganyago that the SABC’s response to the arbitor’s decision was a separate matter, Kganyago said: “It’s my birthday. Don’t put pressure on me.”
align=justifySunday Times reports the board’s other “concerns” allegedly include Mpofu’s “failure” to appoint a chief technology officer, an expected budget deficit of more than R300-million and a decision to proceed with changes to SAfm’s format without board approval.
align=justify‘No plan’
align=justifyKanyi Mkonza, chairperson of the SABC board, has since rejected “insinuations” of a plan to fire Mpofu.
align=justify”The board raised and discussed several concerns in (a) meeting in carrying out its obligation of oversight and monitoring the performance of the SABC’s management. In pursuance of its obligation, the board appointed an internal committee to consider these issues in detail and advise the board accordingly. The board wishes to reiterate that the step to appoint this committee is neither extraordinary nor unique but is within its mandate and normal oversight function,” she says in a statement.
align=justify”It is regrettable that this confidential board matter was prematurely brought to the public sphere before the anticipated processes are completed. As it is the normal practice of this board, a public statement will be issued after the board has met and finalised the said issues.”
