The SABC board and the communications ministry discussed issues including the public protector’s report on the public broadcaster in a meeting on Thursday.
At the meeting, attended by communications minister Yunus Carrim and deputy minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the SABC board committed to give the ministry an update on its work regarding the report by the end of next month, the parties said in a joint statement.
Last Monday, public protector Thuli Madonsela released a report, titled “When Ethics Fail”, and found acting SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s appointment irregular, as was his salary progression.
She found his salary increased from R1,5m to R2,4m in one year.
Ndabeni-Abrahams said in the statement: “We have given the board the legal opinion we received from the state law advisor. In their report, they are going to take into account this opinion.”
It was decided that the report needed to be dealt with promptly.
According to Madonsela’s report, Motsoeneng rapidly increased the salaries of various staff members, resulting in the broadcaster footing an unprecedented salary bill escalation of R29m.
Her report found that Motsoeneng committed fraud by stating in his application form he completed matric at Metsimantsho High School.
Madonsela also found that former communications minister Dina Pule had interfered unduly in the appointment of Gugu Duda as SABC’s chief financial officer.
The ministry and the SABC board also resolved on Thursday to look into reasons for high turnover of board members, group CEOs and other senior executives at the public broadcaster.
Other matters discussed included the national integrated information and communications technology policy review, South Africa’s broadband policy and strategy, as well as the SABC’s strategic and funding plans. — Sapa
