The head of SABC’s radio news, Mapule Mbhalati, was sent three text messages by the corporation’s news head, Phil Molefe, ordering her to stop running bulletins about his controversial appointment, sources said this week.
She was also allegedly called into the office of SABC chief executive Solly Mokoetle, who had announced Molefe’s contentious appointment, for a showdown.
Mbhalati (55) has now taken early retirement.
The sources said she was threatened with disciplinary action after running the bulletins last week, but refused to climb down. She had quit because tensions at the SABC had become “unbearable”.
It is understood that what riled Mokoetle and Molefe was the fact that broadcasting unions were given a platform in the radio reports to slate Molefe’s appointment.
Interviewed about the continuing deadlock between himself and the board, Mokoetle said he was following the instructions of SABC chairperson Ben Ngubane when he formally installed Molefe as head of news this week.
“I don’t take my instructions from newspaper reports. I take them from the chairman of the SABC board,” Mokoetle said. “I received instructions from the chairperson that Phil Molefe is to be appointed head of news and I have not received any alternative instruction. Molefe’s first day was June 1.”
Reliable sources told the M&G that a copy of the board’s counter-resolution — that Molefe had not been appointed to the post — was sent to Molefe. As chief executive Mokoetle is a board member and would also have known of it. He told the M&G that even if he knew of the resolution, he would still have to take his instructions from the chairperson.
“I haven’t gone back on that statement, because I have received no other instructions from the chairperson of the board,” he said.
No comment
Broadcasting specialists said the articles of association governing the board and public broadcaster clearly state that any decision to appoint an executive such as head of news must be taken by the board.
They expressed concern that Mokoetle had not read the articles and that he appeared unaware that he was not meant to take orders from the chairperson in such a matter.
“Phil Molefe has not been appointed to the position,” said a reliable source. “He might think he is in the job, but he is not. Due processes will be followed by the board.”
Molefe refused to comment when contacted by the M&G. Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda has called a meeting with Ngubane and the board next weekend to discuss the appointment.
Meanwhile, Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille, a member of Parliament’s communications committee, has described Ngubane’s unilateral appointment of Molefe as “a very serious offence and should lead to his dismissal”.
“It was simply arrogant of him to do as he pleased,” De Lille said.
Any move to hold a hearing in Parliament on Ngubane’s conduct would have to be triggered by the board, said the specialists. President Jacob Zuma, who appointed Ngubane, would then have to decide whether to hold a hearing.
Concerns are mounting that the other shortlisted candidates for Molefe’s job could take legal action over his appointment, as due process has not been followed. They include Karima Brown, Business Day political editor, and Jimi Matthews, former head of SABC television news.