/ 8 May 2008

Thirty-day limit for acting SABC CEO

Newly appointed acting CEO of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Gabriele Mampone said on Thursday that he would act as CEO of the corporation for the next 30-days.

His appointment was announced on Wednesday to temporarily replace chief executive Dali Mpofu, who was suspended for apparently failing to implement decisions of the board.

Mpofu’s suspension on Wednesday came a day after he suspended Snuki Zikalala, the group executive of news and current affairs.

Speaking on Thursday during an interview on Morning Live on SABC2, Mampone, commercial enterprises group executive, said that he would now completely focus on his new responsibility as acting CEO.

He said there was a need for the SABC to re-group in order for the business to run.

”We can’t avoid what’s happened and it can’t get worse …it’s just a test of character,” he said. He confirmed that there would be an ”extensive” independent investigation against Zikalala and Mpofu.

News about the suspensions sparked a national outcry on Wednesday over the state of the public broadcaster.

Meanwhile, the SABC board has announced the appointment of Amrit Manga as acting group executive of news and current affairs, SABC radio news reported on Thursday.

Manga replaces Zikalala. — Sapa