Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

In a major shake-up, the SABC is putting a damper on moonlighting by its staff members.

The public broadcaster has reportedly told its many stars that it will enforce the one-man, one-job policy by March 30.

Sowetan has reliably been told that the affected staffers have been informed of the decision and that they are livid.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the affected workers told Sowetan: "This action has angered so many of us. We relied on freelance work for the extra income. A lot of the affected workers are actually contemplating leaving and joining CNBC."

Many of the faces that grace the television screen hold more than one job at the SABC.

Vuyo Mbuli, the Morning Live anchor, also held the fort at SAFM until the middle of last year.

Xolani Gwala, who took over Mbuli's slot at SAFM, also works as a news reader and hosts Asikhulume, a current affairs programme, among other jobs.

Thobile Mncube reads Zulu news and also works for an internal SABC magazine, and Julia Ndlovu reads Xitsonga news and also presents Weekend Live.

These are just some of the people who hold more than one job at the broadcaster. Most are also eyeing posts at CNBC.

CNBC will be sub-Saharan Africa's first international business news channel. The channel will begin broadcasting from Johannesburg in May.

The American broadcaster, which will be launched in the country soon, has already stripped the SABC of some of its top staffers, including Nikiwe Bikitsha, prime-time news reader Lerato Mbele and Siki Mgabadeli.

Kaizer Kganyago, the SABC's spokesman, would not deny or confirm the proposed changes.

"I can't answer yes or no at this stage," he said.