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MEDIA STATEMENT FROM MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS RE: SUSPENSION OF GROUP CEO AND HEAD OF NEWS

MEDIA STATEMENT
10 May 2008

SABC's suspension of Group CEO and Head of News not related

Minister of Communications, Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri noted with sadness the decision of the board to suspend the Group CEO of the SABC, Mr. Dali Mpofu.

There appears from the briefing she received, that no link seems to exist between the suspension of the Group CEO and that of the Head of News, Dr. Snuki Zikalala as has been widely speculated.

The board's reasons appear to deal with issues of governance and attempt to avoid a crisis developing in the entity. Their concerns centre around issues of the budget, sports rights, staff problems at executive level and the impact that all these have on the business of the SABC.

The Minister has not received as yet the CEO's response to these allegations for her to have an impartial view. The Minister has noted the interim steps taken by the board to ensure management of the entity continues under capable hands and reiterates her call to management and staff to continue with work to deliver on the mandate and special projects of the SABC such as 2010 and Digital Migration.

She asks the public to remain calm, avoid speculation and incorrect reporting that further damage the image of a national entity that belongs to all of us as a nation.

Issued by Joe Makhafola, Minister of Communications' Spokesperson

Cell: 071 290 1735

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