Eric Naki

Eric Naki

Another legal battle is looming between the SABC board and the corporation's group chief executive Dali Mpofu.

The board's lawyers lodged an appeal in the Johannesburg high court last week to challenge the lifting of the suspension board chairman Khanyisile Mkonza imposed on Mpofu.

The action against Mpofu was taken after he suspended news head Snuki Zikalala, who allegedly leaked a confidential document to a journalist. The court declared the board's suspension of Mpofu unlawful.

The document questioned Mpofu's management ability and his alleged failure to employ a chief technology officer for the station.

But the corporation's chief, with the support of all of his executives, took the board to task for the allegations and leaking of the information to a third party.

Sowetan has learnt that Mpofu's lawyers have submitted opposing papers to court. The date has yet to be set but it is understood that the matter might be heard next week.

The board is under political pressure to "clean up" Auckland Park. The ANC portfolio committee on communications has passed a vote of no-confidence in the board for its failure to act.

United Democratic Movement chief whip George Madikiza criticised ANC politicians for the no-confidence move.

"It is amazing that the ANC is now claiming it has lost confidence in the SABC board barely four months after its installation," Madikiza said.

"What is even more amazing is that this is the same board the ANC used its majority for to vote into office.".