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SABC head of news Dr Snuki Zikalala during an interview in his office in Auckland park. Picture: Simphiwe Mbokazi

SABC head of news Snuki Zikalala has been suspended.

The announcement was made at today's 4pm TV news diary meeting by SABC Group CEO Dali Mpofu.

Zikalala was suspended for allegedly leaking information to the media, according to three staff members who attended the meeting.

"He just told us that Snuki was suspended for leaking information to the media," said an editor. "He did not want to elaborate. He also said that he and Snuki would issue a joint statement later today."

The feud between Zikalala and Mpofu has been simmering since it was revealed in 2006 that Zikalala had blacklisted certain commentators. It is alleged that Mpofu had wanted to discipline Zikalala, but felt he would not get the backing of the board then. A new board has been installed since January.

The tension came to a head last week when the Parliamentary portfolio committee on communications passed a motion of no confidence in the SABC board.

This came after Mpofu had accused an unnamed member of cabinet of plotting to oust him from his position. Apparently Mpofu afterwards accused Zikalala of working with some members of the board in trying to get rid of him.

Insiders at the SABC, however, say the real reason Zikalala has been suspended is that he refused to re-employ a Free State-based employee who was fired last year.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who had been an executive producer of Lesedi FM's current affairs programmes was fired for overstepping his mandate after he had given unprocedural increases to female employees.

Motsoeneng, who reportedly did not finish primary school, had always been a staunch supporter of ANC president Jacob Zuma.

The sources say Mpofu received orders from Luthuli House to re-employ Motsoeneng, who was until recently the spokesperson for Free State MEC for local government, Joel Mafereka.

Mpofu allegedly in turn instructed Zikalala to re-employ Motsoeneng but Zikalala refused. He was then suspended.

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