/ 15 June 2008

Gab Mampone appointed acting CEO of SABC

The head of content enterprise at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Gab Mampone, has once again been appointed acting group CEO, the broadcaster reported on Saturday.

Chairperson Khanyisile Mkhonza said that there was no truth in rumours that the board had suspended seven executive committee members who had openly supported CEO Dali Mpofu’s bid to remain in office.

It was reported earlier that seven group executive members of the SABC who were reportedly suspended for signing a petition calling for the board to resign — said they had not received any notice to that effect.

Sipho Sithole, head of group strategy and risk management, said: ”We have just been also hearing rumours now on radio that the magnificent seven has been suspended … it’s not the seven, the magnificent seven.”

Earlier in the month the SABC board condemned the seven 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 Mkhonza in a statement at the time.

Earlier in the month the SABC group executive called on the board of the national broadcaster to step down immediately.

The calls came after the Johannesburg High Court dismissed an application for leave to appeal against a ruling that the suspension of Mpofu was unlawful. – Sapa