SABC hands over 400 documents to Parliament inquiry

12 December 2016

Cape Town - The SABC has finally handed over requested documents to Parliament's ad hoc committee which is holding an inquiry on the fitness of the broadcaster's board.

Chairperson of the committee Vincent Smith told MPs on Monday that more than 400 documents were sent on Saturday.

He said the committee's legal team is processing the documents.

"It is going to be a tall order but I'm sure the team will be able to give us some indication of what is in there.

"I just find it very strange that documents and letters that would hamper our work get sent on a weekend."

The broadcaster originally resisted the committee's request for documents to be handed over on November 17.

Smith said last Monday that its legal team would inform the broadcaster that it was acting in contempt of Parliament.

SABC to cross examine witnesses

Smith also told the committee they received a letter on Sunday from Ncube Incorporated Attorneys instructing the committee that they "shall" interview all of the inquiry's witnesses thus far on Thursday.

MPs were in agreement that although the SABC has rights to cross-examine witnesses, it was "outrageous" that it sought to dictate to Parliament the time and manner when a standing invitation was sent before the committee started its work on December 7.

The terms allowed for the broadcaster to interview witnesses on the days they would each testify.

The committee pointed out that the SABC delegation chose to walk out of the inquiry on its first day and has not appeared since, despite the invitation still being open.

The witnesses that have testified thus far will not reappear for cross-examination.

Smith said the committee would instruct Ncube Incorporated that it can only cross-examine witnesses on the terms agreed to before the committee started its work.

They will also be asked on whose instruction they are acting as the SABC board is currently inquorate and chief executive of corporate affairs Hlaudi Motsoeneng has no "legal foot" to give instructions.

They will also insist that the individual pay for the legal proceedings.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.