On Digital Media (ODM), owner of satellite pay-TV service TopTV, has confirmed the company’s board is in talks with CEO Vino Govender about a “mutual separation”.

In a statement, ODM chairman Eddie Mbalo says the board is “in discussions with the CEO on a mutual separation, but those discussions are not concluded yet”. He says that until the talks are concluded, ODM will not comment further. “The board will issue a statement in due course.”

The Mail & Guardian on Tuesday broke the news about talks between ODM and Govender that would see him leaving the employ of the company. Govender is ODM’s founding CEO and was intimately involved in its licensing and in building the business.

ODM has denied subsequent media reports that Govender has been fired.

TopTV clashed with the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) recently over plans to launch a bouquet of adult channels on its service. Icasa last week said it would not allow TopTV to offer the channels, and promised to furnish its reasons within 30 days of its decision.

ODM’s shareholders include European satellite group SES, the Industrial Development Corporation and a number of black empowerment groupings.

Govender did not answer calls to his mobile phone on Wednesday. — Staff reporter, TechCentral