South Africa: SABC board in crisis

The SABC is in a corporate governance crisis, with several board members calling for the head of group CEO Solly Mokoetle. Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda recently held a meeting with the SABC board at which some mooted the removal of Mokoetle as positions hardened on the controversial appointment of head of news Phil Molefe, which was overturned by the board.

“The board has been immobilised and is in severe danger,” said one source, adding that its relationship with Mokoetle had been severed.
 Nyanda ignored the discussion about Mokoetle’s ousting and urged the board to finalise the stalemated appointment of the news boss.
Several board members said elements of the crisis were Ngubane’s refusal to convene board meetings except on ad hoc matters; simple information requests being stonewalled by the broadcaster; and audience numbers that had received a flip from the World Cup, trending downward.

 
Members said Mokoetle is generally disdainful of the board, , adding that a healthy relationship with him had soured after the Molefe affair.
Nyanda’s spokesperson, Tiyani Rikhotso, denied that the minister wanted Molefe’s appointment ratified. “We understand the appointment to be the sole responsibility of the board”, he said.

- August 09, 2010 by City Press

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Source: www.misa.org  (received via email alert on 09.08.2010)