A team of specialists from the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) had begun to follow up on the report of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) to Parliament last year on alleged governance transgressions and weaknesses at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
According to a press release issued by the SABC late yesterday, SABC Board chairman Dr Ben Ngubane and the board had requested the SIU to follow up on the report by the AGSA in 2009..
The AGSA noted at the time that it had been unable to complete its investigations into all matters raised by Parliament, and recommended additional areas for investigation. In his first statement as chairperson on 14 January 2010, Dr Ngubane announced that the incoming Board would implement the AGSA recommendations.
Earlier today, SIU members met with SABC management to outline its scope of work. SABC Group CEO Solly Mokoetle said afterwards: “We welcome the move by the Board to reinforce our own internal review of the recommendations of the AGSA by providing us with specialised personnel that will assist us in the process of ensuring that the integrity of the SABC is restored, as we embark on a journey to turn around the organisation.’
The SIU will review policies, procedures and systems of the SABC and will seek to establish compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and corporate governance protocols. The initial process of investigation will focus mainly on the following areas of SABC business:
The Commercial Enterprises Division
The Content Enterprises Division
Corporate finance systems
HR policies and systems
Upon completion of its work, the SIU team will submit its report to the SABC Board which will report to Parliament.
