Chair, the SA Broadcasting Corporation, the SABC, is supposed to be owned by the people of South Africa and be the voice of the people. The 1999 Broadcasting Act was supposed to have heralded a complete break from the old order where the SABC was the voice of the NP, when public interest was confused with narrow party interests. Yet, it is very clear that the SABC has been used to promote the ANC's party interests. It is also very clear that the present crisis reflects the broader battle within the ANC - that of control of the SABC which would ensure that that faction of the ANC has greater control of the state broadcaster. Yet, again, the public interest is being confused with the party's interests and, in this case, factions within the party.
It is disingenuous now for ANC MPs of the Portfolio Committee on Communications to move a vote of no confidence in the very board that it promoted last year. This only gives credence to concerns that it is because certain members of the board are seen to be Mbeki appointees, and find themselves within the wrong ANC camp.
The ACDP, whilst appreciating that certain board members did not meet the Act's criteria of independence from the government and other interests, will not be part of a witch-hunt against board members by factions within the ANC. For this reason, the ACDP will not support the recommended ANC motion or vote of no confidence. Thank you.