Minister and SABC board are duty bound to uphold rule of law

26 September 2016

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted the decision of the Western Cape High Court, endorsed by the Supreme Court of Appeal, in relation to the appointment of Mr. Hlaudi Motsoeneng as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the SABC. The ANC echoes the call made by the Presidency that the ANC-led government remains committed to respecting court rulings and would fully abide by the undertaking to that effect made in a meeting with the Judiciary last year.

The ANC believes that there is an undisputable link between good governance and compliance with the law and accordingly urge the SABC to ensure that it upholds, in deed, the letter and spirit of the Western Cape High Court ruling.  As a Board, members - individually and severally - owe to the Corporation not only their fiduciary duties but also the responsibility to provide effective leadership based on an ethical foundation. The SABC Board, and by necessarily implication the responsible Minister, are duty bound to uphold rule of law. The ANC calls on the Minister charged with oversight over this portfolio, Comrade Faith Muthambi, to assist the Board in this regard. Further, calls on Parliament to summon the SABC to comprehensively account on the state of the corporation and its reported challenges.

No decisions taken by the Board must been seen to or have the effect of undermining or circumventing the decision reached our Courts in this matter.

Issued by Zizi Kodwa, National Spokesperson, African National Congress, 26 September 2016