Thank you, Chairperson. Indeed, the SABC is a very important organisation. You can see the events in terms of how things are happening. As the Portfolio Committee on Communications, indeed today we had a special meeting to consider this matter, in relation to section 15 of the Broadcasting Act.
We have received notice of the fact that both the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the SABC board have tendered their resignations. Their resignations were accordingly accepted by the appointing authority, the President. Subsequent to that the following SABC board members of the also resigned: Adv Cawe Mahlati, Mr Cedric Gina, Mr Lumko Mtimde, Mr Desmond Golding, Mr John Danana, Ms Noluthando Gosa and Ms Pippa Green.
On 30 October 2012, the committee reported on a briefing from the SABC board on its enquiry regarding the conduct of Adv Cawekazi Mahlati on 18 September 2012. The committee subsequently sought and was granted permission by this House to undertake an inquiry in terms of section 15A(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act. However, Adv Cawekazi Mahlati's resignation now renders the continuation of such an inquiry unnecessary. As a result of the above-mentioned resignations, the SABC board, as we speak, is left with only two nonexecutive serving members, while section 13(1) of the Broadcasting Act requires 12 nonexecutive members.
In terms of section 15A(1)(b)(iii) of the Broadcasting Act, Act 4 of 1999, the committee recommends to the National Assembly that a resolution be adopted that the board be dissolved as it cannot carry out its duties, as contemplated in terms of section 13(11), because the board can no longer meet. The reason is that at each meeting that the board must have, there should at least be nine members of the board. The reality now is that we have only two remaining members of the board, which makes it impossible for the board to meet.
If the National Assembly adopts the recommended resolution to dissolve the board, it is further recommended that a resolution be adopted to recommend to the appointing authority that the following five individuals be appointed as interim SABC board members in terms of section 15A(3)(a).
The board members we are recommending are: Ms Zandile Ellen Tshabalala, Ms Noluthando Primrose Gosa, Mr Vusumuzi Mavuso, Mr Ronnie Lubisi and Dr Iraj Abedian. It further recommends that Ms Zandile Ellen Tshabalala be appointed as the chairperson of the interim board and Ms Noluthando Gosa as the deputy chairperson of the interim board. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Declarations of vote: