South African Broadcasting Corporation spokesperson Paul Setsetse resigned on Thursday, citing a ”personal reason” for his decision to leave the corporation, the broadcaster said.
Setsetse was suspended a few weeks ago after he issued a factually incorrect statement regarding why the broadcaster had not aired the heckling of Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at a National Women’s Day rally in Newcastle.
Setsetse said at first that the SABC’s freelance cameraman had only arrived at the event after the booing. But commercial broadcaster e.tv had footage showing that the cameraman was in fact present.
In a statement on Thursday, Setsetse said he deemed it time to pursue his personal and business interests.
”I have enjoyed working in the public sector starting with my days at the Department of Justice till more recently with our national broadcaster the SABC, one of the most important institutions of our democracy”.
SABC chief executive Dali Mpofu accepted Setsetse’s resignation and described him as ”a pleasant person”.
”He has served the public with integrity but he has persuaded me that he now would want to enjoy a quieter and more private life and hopefully some prosperity,” said Mpofu.
”In accepting his resignation, I know I speak for all at the SABC when I say he will remain a trusted friend of the institution. We sincerely wish him well”. – Sapa