Carrim must take urgent steps to stop SABC rot
The confirmation yesterday of the resignation of the Group Chief Operating Officer, Ms Lulama Mokhobo, clearly illustrates how dysfunctional the SABC has become. While I am unaware of the specifics of the events leading up to Ms Mokhobo's resignation it was patently clear that she was intimidated by the acting Chief Operating Officer, Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who wields considerable power, and she could not cope with the exceptional pressures of dealing with a dysfunctional, multi-billion rand corporation.
Together they were condemned in the provisional Public Protector's report that was leaked last year: Mr Motsoeneng for his "unlawful" behaviour and Ms Mokhobo for her "improper conduct". I urge the Public Protector to release her report so urgent corrective action can be taken.
The Minister of Communications, Yunus Carrim, must take remedial steps to arrest the perpetual management crisis at the SABC now that its entire top executive management structure is filled with acting appointees. The SABC is without a doubt in a state of crisis and options such as judicial management should be considered.
I urge Minister Carrim, who has no doubt seen the Public Protector's report and has received regular feedback from the task team he appointed to look into the SABC, to publicly state what interim measures can immediately be taken to arrest the management crisis at the broadcaster and what government intervention is being contemplated in the near future.
Ms Mokhobo's resignation should not enable her to slip the possibility of any charges of maladministration that may be put to her for, what the Public Protector said was an "abuse of power and improper conduct in the appointments and salary increments of Mr Motsoeneng and Ms (Sully) Motsweni".
The details of her settlement agreement must be made public and justified. Ms Mokhobo had three years left of her five-year contract. Her total annual employment package was about R4 million.
During the past year the financial state of the SABC again failed to meet the financial performance targets set out in the government guarantee, failed to improve revenue and sponsorship targets and received a disclaimer of opinion - the worst possible finding by the Auditor-General.
This is not an executive management performance that deserves a golden handshake.
Statement issued by Marian Shinn MP, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, February 4 2014
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