The ANC played no part in the decision to end the contract of South African Broadcasting Corporation news head Snuki Zikalala, the ruling party’s treasurer general Mathews Phosa said on Tuesday.
”It does not need any political interference and I think the further we stand from those decisions as politicians, the better,” Phosa told SABC radio, adding that it had been a ”management decision”.
”There’s been complaints from political parties, for a long time there’s been complaints, and South Africans know … A management
decision was taken and we should respect the management decision.”
The SABC announced on Tuesday that Zikalala, its head of news and current affairs, would leave the broadcaster at the end of the
month.
Board chairperson Kanyi Mkonza said Zikalala had ”surfed through difficult water”. She said the board wanted someone with ”fresh ideas”.
Journalist Phil Molefe would take over from Zikalala in an acting capacity from May 1 while a replacement was sought.
Zikalala has been embroiled in controversy during his term, including reports that he had blacklisted political commentators critical of the government then led by Thabo Mbeki, that he had leaked confidential SABC information to newspapers, and allegations that he had undermined axed CEO Dali Mpofu.
‘Good riddance’
Meanwhile, the party’s youth league urged Zikalala to steer clear of another job in the media.
”The ANCYL says good riddance to Snuki Zikalala and wishes him the best on whatever career path he pursues, hoping it will not be in the media,” said the league in a statement.
ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu said with the departure of Zikalala, the SABC had a chance to reinstate its ”credibility” as a public broadcaster.
”Whatever can be said and done, it is an objective reality that Snuki Zikalala was managing news along partisan and factional lines.”
Shivambu said the league supported news that was broadcast and spread in a fair and equitable fashion, ”not what Snuki Zikalala was doing”.
He said the SABC should now ”uproot” remaining ”biased and factional” reporters, ”who continue to distort news in favour of specific political parties”. – Sapa