The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board on Tuesday condemned seven members of the broadcaster’s executive for signing a petition calling for it to resign.
”We consider this petition mischievous, divisive and intended to undermine the integrity and authority of the board as well as damaging the credibility of the organisation,” wrote board chairperson Khanyisile Mkhonza in a statement.
She called for the board’s authority to be respected.
”Management is expected to model conduct that shows respect for the governance framework of the corporation.”
Mkhonza added that the board would respond to the signatories of the petition using internal processes.
She also sought to dispel the notion, created by ”some individuals within and outside the corporation”, that the board was divided.
”The board has been unanimous in most of its decisions. Those who imagine that the board is divided in executing their mandate, do so at their own peril.
”We are fully united on these decisions and we are collectively determined to execute our fiduciary duties in the best interest of the organisation without media grandstanding.”
Mkhonza noted that of the seven who signed the petition, two were permanent members of the group executive committee, while the rest were invitees.
Earlier on Tuesday, Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said she had requested reports from the board and management to assess the SABC’s serious internal administrative and managerial problems.
On Monday the SABC group executive called on the board of the national broadcaster to step down. This after the Johannesburg High Court dismissed an application for leave to appeal a ruling that the suspension of SABC chief executive Dali Mpofu was unlawful.
The executive had come to the conclusion that the board ”does not have the moral authority to continue to lead the SABC, and to continue to allow power to be abused”, SABC head of group strategy and risk Sipho Sithole said. – Sapa