17 June 2009

The Inkatha Freedom Party's National Spokesperson and Spokesperson on Communication Rev Musa Zondi has called on parliament and government to launch an urgent Commission of Inquiry into the SABC, following the resignation of eight of its board members. 

The Portfolio Committee on Communications has supported the IFP's call for full inquiry. 

"We believe that the SABC board has not made all the facts pertaining to this crisis known to the public and we want to get to the bottom of this matter. The IFP wants a full investigation and answers on what has caused this board to become so severely dysfunctional," said Rev Zondi. 

Rev Zondi said that the latest crisis has seriously damaged the SABC's reputation. 

"The resignations of the board members coupled with the reported financial woes of the public broadcaster have ruined the public broadcaster's reputation. Alleged political interference and seemingly poor management has also seriously tainted the image of the SABC,"  said Zondi. 

Rev Zondi added that it was in the public interest for a judicial Commission of Inquiry to be appointed as a matter of urgency. 

"The public broadcaster's latest crisis comes at a time when South Africans can ill afford it. All eyes are currently on South Africa to see whether or not we are able to successfully host the Confederations Cup. If the public broadcaster fails to provide quality broadcasts to the nation and the world, it could serve as a severe embarrassment for 2010," concluded Rev Zondi.
  

Contact:
Rev Musa Zondi
083 440 5966 or
Liezl van der Merwe
083 611 7470