SSA still haven’t completed simple background checks on SABC Board candidates

Date: 08 November 2022

It is no wonder that the US were the first to warn about a potential terror attack in South Africa, as the State Security Agency still hasn’t completed simple background checks on the 34 SABC board candidates.

It has been exactly two months since the Portfolio Committee of Communications and Digital Technologies shortlisted candidates to fill the 12 outgoing SABC board positions.

On the 8th of September, the Portfolio Committee completed the process and forwarded the names and details to the State Security Agency for vetting. The current Board term expired on the 15th of October.

To date, no new board has been appointed, meaning that the SABC, one of the biggest SOEs in South Africa, has no board. Not only is the SABC one of the largest State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), but it is also an SOE with R2.8 Billion in irregular expenditure.

The Auditor General has also stated that the situation at the SABC is so dire that the SABC might not be able to turn things around – despite claims to the contrary by the CEO.

To not have a board for such a troubling entity is simply irresponsible and unacceptable.

All SABC board candidates must undergo a simple background check and it is purely the responsibility of the SSA to complete these.

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP and Natasha Mazzone MP, 8 November 2022