The decision by parliament’s communication portfolio committee to recommend the suspension of SABC board chair Zandile Tshabalala on Tuesday was welcomed by the Democratic Alliance.

“The unanimity of committee members in this matter is a welcome development in a parliament often characterised by partisanship and petty politicking,” DA MP Gavin Davis said in a statement.

“The DA looks forward to the speedy resolution of this issue in the interests of bringing stability to the public broadcaster.”

Davis said a motion would be tabled on Wednesday for President Jacob Zuma to suspend Tshabalala.

He said the president was empowered in law to appoint, remove or suspend SABC board members on recommendation from Parliament.

Parliament’s communications portfolio committee said it had unanimously resolved to recommend the suspension of Tshabalala, pending the outcome of a probe into her qualifications.

The decision was taken during a committee meeting on Tuesday where a senior legal advisor to parliament told MPs they did not have the authority to suspend Tshabalala for allegedly lying about her qualifications.

Instead, they could make a recommendation to the national assembly.

The national assembly could then ask Zuma, the appointing authority, to suspend her.

Tshabalala is due to appear before the committee on 25 September when the inquiry is due to start.

She stated on her CV that she had a BCom degree from the University of South Africa (Unisa). Tshabalala also claimed she held a post graduate degree in labour relations. Unisa has since stated their records reflect she has neither of the qualifications. — Sapa