Nyanda worried about SABC boss

2010-09-13 22:02

Johannesburg - Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda has raised concerns with the SABC board over the appointment of acting group chief executive officer Rob Nicholson, the broadcaster reported on Monday.

He had asked for the matter to be reviewed and that another executive be appointed to steer the ship until suspended group chief executive officer (GCEO) Solly Mokoetle's fate was decided.

Nyanda held a closed meeting with the SABC board on Monday, and raised concerns over certain issues plaguing the public broadcaster.

Uppermost on the agenda was the suspension of Mokoetle. He urged the board to deal with the matter with haste.

"We agreed with the board that because of the impact on staff morale the matter of the GCEO and the charges brought against him be expedited as soon as possible so that SABC can get on with the job it has to do," Nyanda reportedly said.

In the meantime, Nicholson would remain the acting CEO until the board advised him otherwise.

At the meeting, concerns were raised over indications that the corporation could fail to meet some conditions of a bank loan which was secured with government as a guarantor.

"We are concerned and I have received a letter of concern from the minister of finance to say that they are concerned over the capability of the SABC to stick to the conditions of the guarantee," Nyanda said.

The minister commended the board for smoking the peace pipe and resolving their differences.

A meeting between Nyanda and the board was expected to be held soon where he would be given feedback on the issues raised.

- SAPA