The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board will appeal a high court ruling setting aside the suspension of chief executive Dali Mpofu, board chairperson Khanyi Mkhonza said on Tuesday.
”After careful study of the judgement, the board has identified areas of concerns that we believe can only be clarified through the legal process,” Mkhonza said in a statement.
”The board has therefore decided to lodge an appeal in the high court on Tuesday May 20 2008.”
The Johannesburg High Court ruled on Monday that Mpofu’s suspension on May 7 was unlawful because the meeting where it was decided did not follow the correct legal procedures.
Judge Moroa Tsoka found that Mpofu’s ”right to participate fully” in the meeting was infringed upon and said Mkhonza had handled the entire matter badly.
The judge said Mkhonza’s behaviour fell short of ”a director who should act independently”.
Mpofu was suspended a day after he suspended his news chief, Snuki Zikalala, who was accused of leaking a memorandum on Mpofu’s alleged bad management of the SABC to the Sunday Times.
Mkhonza said the SABC board held an urgent meeting after judgement was handed down on Monday.
”The board would like to reiterate that its decision to investigate serious allegations about the conduct of advocate Mpofu will continue despite the appeal process. These allegations include an alleged refusal and/or failure to abide by and implement decisions of the board.
”We respect the process of law and will endeavour to follow this process in dealing with matters stated within the judgement.
”We, however, remain convinced that [Mpofu] should respond to issues that we have raised with him so that the investigation can be brought to finality as speedily as possible,” said Mkhonza. — Sapa