Karabo FM licence to be suspended ahead of special General Meeting

By Palesa Malebo

SASOLBURG – Community radio station Karabo FM will once again face another switch-off from signal distributor Sentech prior to its Special General Meeting due in June.The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has ordered the Sasolburg based community radio station to hold a Special General Meeting for the election of a new Board on the June 30 after the Complaints And Compliance Committee (CCC) concluded in it’s judgment dated April 25 this year that Karabo FM’s General Meeting which was held on July 30, 2017, amounted to a nullity for lack of evidence that 50% of the membership was present at the meeting.

“The CCC has, accordingly, come to the conclusion that even if it be accepted the meeting was validly called, there is no evidence that the meeting was quorate. That means that the meeting did not accord with the requirements of the Constitution and that the meeting and the election of Board members amounted to a nullity,” the judgment read.

The Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) is an independent committee of ICASA established in terms of section 17A of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act (“ICASA Act”). The CCC is required to investigate, and hear if appropriate, and make a finding on all matters referred to it by ICASA; complaints received by the Committee and allegations of non-compliance with the ICASA Act or underlying statutes.

ICASA has ordered Karabo FM to hold a Special General Meeting for the election of a new Board due to the lack of evidence as to Karabo FM’s registered members – demonstrated by the absence of evidence that a quorum of 50% was present at the 2017 AGM.

Karabo FM’s license to broadcast was suspended for 30 days  from 24:00 on May 31, ending at 24:00 on June 30.