ATC130319: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) section 15A process, dated 19 March 2013

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Communications on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) section 15A process, dated 19 March 2013

The Portfolio Committee on Communications (the Committee), having considered the briefing by the Minister of Communications and the SABC Board, reports as follows:

The Committee received notice of the fact that both the Chairperson, Dr Ben Ngubane , and the Deputy Chairperson of the SABC Board, Mr Thamie ka Plaatjie , have tendered their resignations. Their resignations were accepted by the Appointing Authority, the President of the Republic of South Africa . Subsequently, the following SABC Board members also resigned: Advocate Cawekazi Mahlati ; Mr Cedric Gina; Mr Lumko Mtimde ; Mr Desmond Golding ; Mr John Danana ; Ms Noluthando Primrose Gosa and Ms Pippa Green.

The Committee on 30 October 2012 reported on a briefing from the SABC Board on its inquiry regarding the conduct of Advocate Cawekazi Mahlati on Tuesday, 18 September 2012. The Committee subsequently sought and was granted permission from the National Assembly to undertake an inquiry in terms of section 15A( 1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act No 4 of 1999. However, Advocate Mahlati’s resignation now renders the continuation of such an inquiry unnecessary.

As a result of the mentioned resignations, the SABC Board is left with only two non-executive serving members, while section 13(1) of the Broadcasting Act No 4 of 1999 requires a number of twelve non-executive members. In terms of section 15A(1)(b)(iii) of the Broadcasting Act No 4 of 1999, the Committee recommends to the National Assembly that a resolution be adopted that recommends the dissolution of the Board, as it cannot carry out its duties as contemplated in section 13(11) and can no longer control the affairs of the Corporation.

If the National Assembly adopts the recommendation to dissolve the SABC Board, it is further recommended that a resolution be adopted to recommend to the Appointing Authority that the following five individuals be appointed as the interim SABC Board members in terms of section 15A( 3)(a): Ms Zanele Ellen Tshabalala ; Ms Noluthando Primrose Gosa ; Mr Vusumuzi Mavuso ; Mr Mashangu Ronny Lubisi and Dr Iraj Abedian . The Committee recommends further that Ms Zanele Ellen Tshabalala be appointed as the Board Chairperson and Ms Noluthando Primrose Gosa as Board Deputy Chairperson.

Report to be considered.