PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 277
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 7 March 2014
QUESTION PAPER NO: 5
DATE OF REPLY:
Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:
(1) (a) When was a certain legal firm (name furnished) appointed by the
SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), (b) for what purpose was the
specified firm appointed and (c) what (i) was the brief and (ii) were
the points of difference with the investigation by the Special
Investigating Unit;
(2) Was the appointment approved by the board; if so, when;
(3) What amount was the firm paid for the investigation?
(4) Is the firm still contracted to work for the SABC; if so, what (a) is
the brief and (b) are the terms of payment?
NW330E
REPLY:
I have been advised by the SABC as follows:-
(1)(a) On 03 October 2012.
b) To provide legal advice and an action plan in response to the
recommendations of the findings of the Special Investigating Unit
(SIU).
c) (i) The brief required the attorneys to advise the SABC Board on what
action (including criminal, civil or disciplinary), if any, could be
taken by the SABC against all (current and former) employees named in
the report, as well as against all directors (current and former)
named in the SIU reports.
(ii) The Bokwa Attorneys differed with the SIU on a number of points
and recommendations in the SIU Report. To try and enumerate these
points in this reply would be time consuming and would produce a very
bulky reply as they contested most of the recommendations.
2) No, the appointment was approved by the Group Chief Executive Officer.
3) The firm was paid R 5,476,180.
4) (a) Yes, the firm is currently contracted to provide legal services.
The firm is the SABCâs attorneys of record for the matter relating
to the carrying of SABC television channels on a
satellite platform.
(b) The payment terms are dependent on the services rendered. As this
is a litigious matter, the costs will also be determined by the
proceedings.