Embattled SABC legal head quits

“Yes, I have resigned from my post. I sent my letter of resignation to Dali (SABC group CEO Dali Mpofu) late last night informing him of my decision,” said Sihlali yesterday.

His resignation comes amid reports that the public broadcaster had suspended him with full pay, pending a disciplinary inquiry.

“The decision to suspend Sihlali follows an investigation commissioned by the audit committee of the board after allegations of corruption and abuse of power were levelled against him.

“We would like to emphasise that even though we view the charges against Sihlali in a very serious light, we still respect the due process of the law and that of the SABC policy, which requires that he be afforded an opportunity to present his side of the story before any further action can be taken,” reads a statement issued by SABC board chairman Eddie Funde on Friday.

Earlier this month Sihlali went to the Johannesburg High Court in an effort to stop the SABC from discussing his possible suspension. His case was dismissed.

Sihlali had filed an urgent application to obtain pages missing from the SABC audit report which accused him of fraud. His application was denied and the court said the papers were irrelevant to the case.

“I am not going be used in a little scramble for board seats. The board has known about this thing since April. I’m shocked by their decision to suspend me. I sincerely wish Dali all the best as nothing is what it seems to be at the SABC,” said Sihlali.

This week the National Assembly’s communications committee interviewed candidates to fill positions on the 12-member SABC board. The interviews will be completed by September 7.

The current board’s term of office expires on December 31. The committee will then make its recommendations to President Thabo Mbeki, who will approve it. The new board should assume its duties from January 2008.

Yesterday SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago maintained that Sihlali was still suspended.

Meanwhile, the SABC board has endorsed an ambitious plan by news boss Snuki Zikalala to establish a news service that will include text, audio and video. The service will compete with other renowned world news gathering institutions such as Reuters, Sapa and AFP.

“The board has approved a R3.5 million budget for us to launch this service, the first on the African continent,” said Zikalala yesterday.

Last month the public broadcaster launched a news network aimed at providing a uniquely African perspective in a market previously dominated by Western broadcasters.

News International was officially launched by President Mbeki on July 20.

Mbeki urged journalists to show greater interest in African affairs. “For far too long we have relied on others to tell us our own stories. For that long we have seemed content to parrot the words and stories of others about us as if they were the gospel truth,” said Mbeki.

Zikalala said the broadcaster was busy interviewing correspondents who will be filing from both home and abroad.

Western news organisations have in the past been accused of projecting Africa in a negative light, focusing on disease, death and destruction.

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