SABC losing top staff

2004-07-04 08:10

Dulile Sowaga and Ali Mphaki

Johannesburg - The SACB is in turmoil again, losing key staff in droves amid persistent rumours that chief executive Peter Matlare is also to be hounded out.

Only this week, SABC1 TV head Romeo Kumalo, general manager for resources Vasu Moodley and news editor Charles Leonard resigned.

Their departure comes in the wake of the resignation over the past month of the young and efficient Redi Direko, who was presenter of Interface, and Nazeem Dramat, who was head of news planning.

The SABC's woes are worsened by a near revolt of news staff who feel that the new managing director, Snuki Zikalala, is turning news bulletins into a parade of ministers.

"Anyone who disagrees is told in no uncertain terms by Snuki that he was fired in 2002 because of the incompetence of other people, and he is not going to allow this to happen again," a source said.

Zikalala is said to be determined to get rid of staffers who joined the SABC from e.tv.

The head of TV news, Jimmi Mathews, and a number of journalists were formerly with e.tv. Kumalo is to join Vodacom as a marketing strategist responsible for the African market.

City Press has learnt that Kumalo addressed the staff on Friday afternoon; some wept openly on hearing he was quitting.

Moodley, who had worked at the SABC for 22 years, is to head up an information technology company.

Leonard, who joined the SABC last year from e.tv, is to pursue other interests, Matlare said on Saturday.

While confirming the resignations, Matlare said he was not aware that the board or any of its members were unhappy with his performance.

City Press understands that board chairperson Eddie Funde has been telling friends of his displeasure at the way the SABC has been administered, and that he would need to clean up, starting at the top of Radio Park with Matlare, Matthews and political editor Vuyo Mvoko.

Funde denied the board was unhappy with Matlare.

However, SABC sources said it was an open secret that Zikalala's return in May was due to pressure from the new board.

"Snuki believes Matlare was behind his departure and he has made it clear that Matlare will have to go. While Matlare has tried in the past to get government more coverage, Snuki's return has made the bulletins a string of ministers from Morning Live to the evening bulletins.

"This pleases the new board, but Matlare is unhappy as it erodes the credibility of the SABC, which he feels he has contributed to building," the source said.

Matlare said: "The board is not targeting me at all. I enjoy the confidence of my board. At a public level and in board meetings, the board has expressed confidence in the way the team that runs the SABC has performed. I can stand in front of anyone and show them what we inherited and what we have been able to achieve. When the results come out, people will be able to see for themselves."

- City Press