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DA approaches Public Protector over ANC’s “capture” of the SABC

The DA wants the Public Protector to investigate  allegations of “political interference” by the ANC at the SABC.

“This follows former SABC acting CEO, Jimmy Matthews’ confirmation – during an exclusive interview – that there was deliberate intervention in the editorial decisions regarding coverage for opposition political parties,” DA spokesperson, Phumzile van Damme said.

The party said the ANC’s summoning of the SABC to its headquarters in Johannesburg, instead of parliament where it should answer to the nation and other parties, is evidence that the public broadcaster has been captured by the ruling party.

“Their summoning of the board is not only problematic and extra-parliamentary, but really just an ala-Nkandla-report attempt to look as though they are doing something, without bringing any real change, [sic],” van Damme said.

“South Africans must not be fooled by the ANC’s recent flip-flop on media censorship. They have continuously backed and supported Mr Motsoeneng. They remained silent when the DA pursued our court action to have him removed,” she went on.

“Their Spokesperson and Minister condemned those protesting SABC censorship. They allowed their Youth League to declare “Hands off Hlaudi, Hands off”. And most recently, a senior member of Jacob Zuma’s Premier League, North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, backed Mr Motsoeneng,” van Damme said.

van Damme said the DA hopes that the Public Protector will conduct an investigation based on Matthews’ revelations.

“We cannot allow for such a critical institution to remain captured by Jacob Zuma’s cronies, there only to serve their masters, and not the South African people,” van Damme concluded.

[Source – DA, image – CC Wikimedia Commons]

 

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