'ANC didn't interfere in SABC'
2007-09-17 14:51
Johannesburg - The African National Congress on Monday dismissed as "mischievous and fanciful" suggestions that it interfered in the SABC board selection process.
The Sunday Times reported that ANC headquarters had ordered the party's MPs to accept a list of new SABC board appointees.
"The ANC dismisses as mischievous and fanciful suggestions by certain news organisations and their so-called anonymous sources that we had sought to impose a set of individuals to serve on the board of the public broadcaster," a statement said.
The ANC said there was a clear process set out in law for the selection of SABC board members and the process had been fully adhered to by the Portfolio Committee on Communications.
"The ANC caucus in Parliament, like any other political party, has the right to consult its leadership on issues such as the selection of the SABC board."
It was worrying that people whose preferred nominees were not chosen for appointment to the board now addressed their grievances in the media, it said.
The Sunday Times report said the inclusion by the ANC of controversial lawyer Christine Qunta and businesswoman Gloria Serobe on the final list of those recommended as board members sparked a revolt during an ANC parliamentary caucus meeting.
- SAPA