/ 20 August 2008

SABC board clears Zikalala of misconduct charges

Suspended head of South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) news Snuki Zikalala has been exonerated on all charges of misconduct, the SABC board said on Wednesday.

””We respect the independent inquiry process on this matter and welcome Dr Zikalala back at work and hope all concerned will allow him to perform his duties without hindrance,” said chairperson Kanyi Mkhonza.

The board met on Tuesday to consider a report by an independent inquiry, headed by Modise Khoza SC.

The probe exonerated Zikalala and found he had not breached any of his contractual obligations, Mkhonza said in a statement in Johannesburg.

Zikalala was suspended by SABC group chief executive Dali Mpofu on May 6, accused of leaking confidential documents and an internal SABC memorandum.

The board later claimed that Mpofu did not have the authority to suspend Zikalala.

Mpofu was himself suspended by the board the next day, and when his suspension was overturned by the courts, he was suspended again.

On the recommendation of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), an independent inquiry was set up to look into charges of misconduct against Zikalala.

”This inquiry found that Dr Zikalala ‘has not breached any of his contractual obligations’,” Mkhonza said.

”Against this background, the board has resolved that Dr Zikalala must resume his duties as group executive of news and current affairs with immediate effect,” she said. — Sapa