Disband SABC board, says union

2008-05-08 17:30

Johannesburg - Workers at the SA Broadcasting Corporation are bearing the brunt of recent developments at the company, said the Communication Workers Union on Thursday.

"It is workers who bear the brunt since there is no movement in negotiations as they were stopped for vague reasons," said the union.

The union said wage negotiations had been stopped by the SABC apparently because of "circumstances beyond their control.

"The circumstances referred to were never unpacked."

The union said the problems with management which led to the suspension of news and current affairs head Snuki Zikalala and CEO Dali Mpofu meant negotiations had never been revisited.

The CWU said it wanted the SABC board disbanded as it was not providing adequate direction for the corporation.

"(The board) acted in an immature and childish way while workers are suffering."

Communication Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri and parliament's portfolio committee should also intervene, said the union.

On Thursday, the SABC board announced the appointment of Amrit Manga as acting group executive of news and current affairs.

Commercial enterprises group executive Gabriel Mampone was appointed on Wednesday as acting CEO to replace the suspended Mpofu.

- SAPA