SABC inquiry nothing but a 'soap opera' - eThekwini ANCYL

16 December 2016

Durban – The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in eThekwini has reaffirmed its support for the SABC's Hlaudi Motsoeneng and described the parliamentary inquiry into the fitness of the board of the public broadcaster to hold office as a "soap opera".

The ANCYL held a press briefing on Friday to discuss recent political developments.

Regional secretary Thinta Cibane said the inquiry was part of a battle for control over the public broadcaster.

"It is the considered view of the youth league that this is not about the competence of the SABC board or the fitness of comrade Hlaudi to hold office, but it is rather the battle to control the narrative [as advanced by the SABC]."

Cibane also said coverage of the ANC by the broadcaster, which some have alleged disproportionately exceeds that of other parties and is biased, was justified as the ANC is the majority party.

Speaking on the Western Cape High Court judgment this week that declared the SABC's appointment of Motsoeneng as unlawful, Cibane said the courts were being used to advance a "narrow political view".

"We call on Hlaudi and the SABC to appeal this judgment as it flies in the face of irrationality and borders on legal thuggery," he said.

"We remain confident in the leadership ability of comrade Hlaudi and the recent attacks on him only strengthen our resolve. Nothing will deter us from ensuring that he forms part of the leadership elected at the 54th national conference of the ANC in order to drive the aggressive implementation stage of policies of the movement," Cibane said.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.