An article in the June 29 issue of City Press suggested Zikalala, the SABC’s suspended chief executive of news and current affairs, may well be back at the SABC before you can say, “Shucks, not this issue again!” This time, the article says, Zikalala may be appointed acting chief operations officer (COO).
The ending of Charlotte Mampane’s tenure as acting COO on June 30 makes for an interesting twist in the story, as Zikalala may now fill in the shoes of COO – despite being in the midst of suspension appeals. Zikalala is due to appear before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to challenge his suspension. It is not clear when he will appear before the commission, as a CCMA spokesperson denied knowledge of the issue when called.
align=justifyCity Press apparently established that recommendations for the replacement of the acting chief operations officer (COO) were discussed between board chairperson Kanyi Mkonza, deputy Christine Qunta and Gab Mampone, who was appointed acting CEO after Dali Mpofu was suspended.
align=justifyThe paper is apparently in possession of a letter that indicates Mampane has also put forward the names of former COO Solly Mokoetle, who left the SABC to join Telkom Media, and Anton Heunis, head of the audience services department at the corporation, for the position of acting COO.
align=justifyMampane is one of seven SABC executives who signed the June 2 petition for the sacking of the board. !_LT_EMCity Press!_LT_/EM reports that Mampane is thought to belong to the “camp” of Mpofu, together with spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, Mvuzo Mbebe, Phumelele Ntombela-Nzimande, Thabang Mathibe, Thami Ntenteni and strategy boss Sipho Sithole.
align=justifyIf Zikalala is appointed as acting COO he will attend board meetings and have executive powers, apparently regardless of whether his suspension is lifted or not.
align=justifyWhen approached for comment, Kganyago said he was unaware of these issues. Zikalala could not be reached for comment.
