The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was livid over lies being spread in the media about the relationship between two of its news managers, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
”We take strong exception to the lies perpetuated in the media about the relationship between the MD of news Snuki Zikalala and the head of TV news, Jimi Matthews,” Paul Setsetse said.
He was reacting to media reports that a ”cold war” existed between Zikalala and Matthews.
According to reports, Matthews faces a disciplinary hearing because he requested the controversial programme The Round Table without the knowledge of Zikalala.
Setsetse said this was not true.
”Jimi Matthews has not been charged with anything and about anything.”
He said it was unfortunate that a smear campaign was being waged in the media against Zikalala.
”Who-ever is spreading these lies is doing the SABC a disservice.”
Setsetse said Zikalala would continue to do his job and would ”not be scared to ask questions if it is necessary”.
”Why should this be an issue in the media? He is just doing his job.”
He said that although the SABC was the public broadcaster, not everything that happened there was for public consumption.
The Freedom for Expression Institute (FXI) recently asked for an investigation into the independence of the broadcaster. This came in the wake of reports that Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang had ordered Zikalala to send a television team to a media conference. – Sapa