Chairperson, we will work with all other parties on the Portfolio Committee on Communications to find a solution to the present situation at the SABC. However, we believe that the ANC's callous attempts to overthrow the corporation's entire board and install their own Jacob Zuma-aligned cadres are cause for serious concern. We cannot continue to have a situation where the SABC is merely an extension of the ruling party. However, this will be the case if the ANC gets its way and installs an interim board that will be handpicked by Luthuli House without any public participation or transparency in the process. We will continue to argue that the first priority ought to be replacing the board's chairperson, and thus reconstituting the board and allowing board members to return to the urgent business of managing the corporation's affairs.
On the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, it is established as a fact that a deal has been struck between Cosatu, the SACP and a senior Icasa councillor to persuade the communications authority to attempt to block Vodacom's listing in exchange for the reappointment of that councillor. Then that councillor must resign or be fired. In turn, Cosatu and the SACP must also undertake the appropriate steps to investigate their roles, identify those responsible for brokering the deal and take appropriate action against them.
If such a deal did indeed take place, it would violate sections 3(3) and 3(4) of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act of 2000. This Act requires that Icasa be impartial and independent at all times, and that it should function without any political or commercial interference. As a result, and if the facts support the various media reports on this issue, the DA will consider pressing charges against the councillor in question as such a deal would constitute a criminal act.
In addition, my colleague Dene Smuts has today submitted a question to the SACP's secretary-general and the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, to ascertain whether he directly ... [Interjections.]