Speaker, President Zuma must have no hesitation in accepting the resignation of SABC board chairperson, Ben Ngubane. He should have fired Ngubane years ago. If the SABC was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, JSE, the chairperson would have been kicked out for the destructive manner in which he runs the corporation. To have lost nine board members in two years is proof enough.
He has also condoned political influence in the executive appointments and operations of the SABC as well as content for news and current affairs programmes. Also, under his watch the long-suffering staff at the corporation, not trusting the chairman's judgement, referred to the Public Protector the issue of the suitability of Hlaudi Motsoeneng's appointment as acting chief operating officer... [Interjections.]
Speaker, on a point of order: I just want to establish if, in terms of Rule 66, disparaging comments on a person whose removal depends on this House must follow a particular procedure.
It does not depend on this House.
I just wanted to establish if this Rule is applicable in this situation.
Speaker, on a point of order: If I heard the hon member correctly he referred to Rule 56. Oh! If he refers to Rule 66, then my point of order lapses.
Hon member, I will study the Hansard and check and later come with a ruling.
The resignation of the deputy chairperson, Thami ka Plaatjie, must also be accepted. He has proved not to be independent-minded and he had tied himself to the hip of Dr Ngubane. They should ride together into the sunset.
President Zuma must not be swayed by personal loyalties to allow negotiations for golden handshakes for these men. They are lucky not to have been fired. They must not have the option of retiring in luxury.