Interim SABC Board lambasted
2009-07-07 18:21
Cape Town - Opposition political parties on Tuesday accused the ANC of "steamrolling" an interim SABC board through Parliament.
The board, which comprises former MTN executive Irene Charnley, Unisa academic Phillip Mtimkulu, media expert Libby Lloyd, advocate Leslie Sedibe and former communications committee member Suzanne Vos, was approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday afternoon.
The Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said: “"We have no problems with the candidates, but with the process that was followed”.
The ANC, she said, had "bulldozed through an ANC interim board" during a meeting of Parliament's portfolio committee on communications.
"That is the problem we have. All names suggested by opposition parties were simply disregarded."
Withdrew support
Charnley was approved by the assembly as board chairperson and Mtimkulu as her deputy.
The board members will serve a six-month term once they are approved by President Jacob Zuma.
In a four hour meeting of the committee last week, the Democratic Alliance, the ID and Cope had initially supported Charnley, Lloyd, Sedibe and Vos.
They withdrew their support for the entire board after the ANC refused to drop Mtimkulu's name in favour of academic Mamphele Ramphele.
IFP committee member Musa Zondi nominated Vos and approved the ANC's four other choices.
DA committee member Niekie van der Walt said the ANC was "still using the same thinking that brought the previous SABC board so much trouble.
'Bulldozed'
“They are guaranteeing us a failed outcome by applying the same methods.
"The ANC with their new big mate the IFP bulldozed the five people they decided into the interim board of the SABC."
Cope committee member Julie Killian said the party would not support the board.
"Cope cannot support the appointment of the interim SABC board since we reject the ANC's escalating politicisation of the public broadcaster with contempt," Killian said.
Committee chairperson Ismail Vadi said the invitation calling for nominations for a permanent board would be issued later this week.
- SAPA