Communications minister contradicts SABC statement on Aguma

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has denied speculation that following its financial woes and the interim board rescue plan, James Aguma has been removed as acting CEO.

“Mr James Aguma is not well. He is sick and unable to report for duty this week. In terms of our corporate governance, the corporation requires an acting CEO to ensure daily operations continue. It is because of this that Tseliso Ralitabo has been appointed as acting CEO,” according to SABC spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago.

This is despite communications minister Ayando Dlodlo announcing earlier today during a standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) that the current governance at the public broadcaster could not  continue.

The SABC delegation at the meeting confirmed to the committee that Aguma, who is still chief financial officer (CFO), was not present at the meeting on account of illness since Monday.

Fin24 is also reporting that Mathatha Tsedu, deputy chairperson of the interim SABC board, told the committee Motsoeneng’s lawyers had provided an affidavit in which Aguma stated that he had given permission to Motsoeneng to hold his controversial press conference last month.

In the affidavit, Aguma states that the board had decided not to take disciplinary steps against Motsoeneng in relation to this.

Fin24 reports that Tsedu contradicted this by emphasising that the board had, in fact, decided to institute disciplinary steps. That disciplinary hearing is taking place today in Johannesburg.

The publication says DA MP Tim Brauteseth said there should be steps taken against Aguma because of this.

During a portfolio committee meeting a few weeks ago, Aguma proposed that the Broadcasting Act be amended to enable the public broadcaster to charge TV licence for people who view content on technology devices.