The SABC is adrift yet again, following the
suspension of its CEO Frans Matlala barely five months after taking
charge of the troubled public broadcaster.
Mr Matlala’s
appointment in July came a year-and-a-half after former CEO Lulama
Mokhobo quit just 14 months into her five-year contract. Speculation had
been that Ms Mokhobo had a difficult working relationship with now
suspended SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
Both Mr Motsoeneng and former chairwoman Zandile Tshabalala are believed to have pushed for the appointment of Mr Matlala, who is a banking executive and a former SABC consultant.
"The board of the SABC, today suspended with immediate effect the group CEO Frans Matlala pending an investigation," the broadcaster said in a statement on Wednesday. It said the SABC’s group executive for news and current affairs, Jimi Matthews, had been appointed acting CEO.
"The organisation will not comment further on this matter, until all processes are finalised."
It remains unclear why Mr Matlala has been suspended. He could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday.
The move to suspended him is likely to raise more questions about governance problems at the broadcaster. The SABC has been riddled with acute financial, personnel and management troubles in recent years. Mr Matlala’s appointment was seen as crucial to stabilising the broadcaster, which has suffered as a result of board controversies.
Mr Matlala became the SABC’s ninth CEO — including those who were appointed in an acting capacity — to take charge of the broadcaster since 2009.
Democratic Alliance shadow communications minister Phumzile van Damme urged Communications Minister Faith Muthambi to come clean, saying her tenure had been mired in controversy.
Both Mr Motsoeneng and former chairwoman Zandile Tshabalala are believed to have pushed for the appointment of Mr Matlala, who is a banking executive and a former SABC consultant.
"The board of the SABC, today suspended with immediate effect the group CEO Frans Matlala pending an investigation," the broadcaster said in a statement on Wednesday. It said the SABC’s group executive for news and current affairs, Jimi Matthews, had been appointed acting CEO.
"The organisation will not comment further on this matter, until all processes are finalised."
It remains unclear why Mr Matlala has been suspended. He could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday.
The move to suspended him is likely to raise more questions about governance problems at the broadcaster. The SABC has been riddled with acute financial, personnel and management troubles in recent years. Mr Matlala’s appointment was seen as crucial to stabilising the broadcaster, which has suffered as a result of board controversies.
Mr Matlala became the SABC’s ninth CEO — including those who were appointed in an acting capacity — to take charge of the broadcaster since 2009.
Democratic Alliance shadow communications minister Phumzile van Damme urged Communications Minister Faith Muthambi to come clean, saying her tenure had been mired in controversy.
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