Deputy Speaker, Cope supports the concerns expressed by the Portfolio Committee on Communications recently, but believes it falls short of fingering the real problems, namely the close friendship between the board chairperson and senior ANC leaders, which has led to political interference in the running of the board.
Another key reason is the serious management capacity problems that also undermine the effective functioning of the SABC Board. Serious skills shortages and breaches of regulations were highlighted in a presentation made to Parliament by 11 out of 12 nonexecutive board members and tabled on 24 August.
Cope is perturbed by the resignation of the four board members recently, which is within the first 10 months of their term of office. We fear that more resignations may follow unless the board chairperson is called to order or preferably asked to resign.
By waiving the three-months' notice period of the two most recent resignations, President Zuma and the ANC sent an ominous message to the board members that they should heed his master's voice or get out. These members were willing to serve a full three-months' notice period to avoid a governance crisis at the SABC.
This sudden-death type of resolution is a clear manifestation of the ANC's obsession to take control of the public broadcaster. It should also send a spine-chilling message to media houses in South Africa that this government will not tolerate critical thinking. Thank you. [Time expired.] [Interjections.]