The board of public broadcaster SABC wants Communications Minishter Siphiwe Nyanda to give it the power to remove acting CEO Robin Nicholson, who was appointed when CEO Solly Mokoetle was suspended a few weeks ago.
This would involve the Minister amending the SABC’s articles of association, thus increasing political interference in the public broadcaster. As the SABC’s chief financial officer, Nicholson is an executive director and therefore a legal acting CEO appointee. Only executive directors may be appointed to this position and there are no other executive directors at the SABC at present.
Minister Nyanda has denied meeting with the board since their last meeting two weeks ago. But he is known to be unhappy about Nicholson’s appointment as he was the subject of an investigation for alleged irregularities. Nyanda is reportedly unhappy that he was not consulted about Nicholson’s appointment.
The SOS Support Public Broadcasting campaign has said that it is not appropriate for the SABC’s articles of association to be changed in this way.
In the meantime, three SABC board members have resigned. It is likely that there may be more resignations after these latest developments.
