Edward Tsumele
Edward Tsumele
In a new twist to the SABC saga involving the board and chief executive Dali Mpofu, the wrangle deepened yesterday.
Almost all top executives at the broadcaster threw their weight behind Mpofu and demanded the immediate resignation of the board.
The demand is contained in the letter penned by the executives and which Sipho Sithole, head of strategy and risk management, read out at a media conference yesterday.
Sithole was flanked by Kaizer Kganyago, head of communications, Charlotte Mampane, acting chief operations officer, and Mvuzo Mbebe, head of content enterprises when he read the letter.
Others who signed the letter of demand to the board are Phumelele Ntombela-Ndzimande, head of human resources, Thami Ntenteni, head of public broadcasting service (radio), and Thabang Mathibe, acting general manager: legal affairs.
"This is not a call we are making lightly, but one whose potential consequences we are fully aware of and made in the interests of the SABC and the public," said Sithole, as he read the letter of demand.
Sithole cited events of the past week involving the board and Mpofu as the catalyst for the latest unfolding drama at the public broadcaster.
"The events of the past week pertaining to the re-suspension of the group chief executive officer, advocate Dali Mpofu, and the subsequent exchange of e-mails from the chairperson (Khanyisile Mkhonza) and some members of the executive committee have exacerbated the situation.
"The exchange of correspondence and conversations between the board and some members of the group executive committee has once and for all confirmed what has always been our suspicion that the suspension of the group chief executive was motivated by ulterior and improper motives which have nothing to do with the best interests of the SABC, and does not enjoy the support of all board members," Sithole said.
In a related but separate action taken by the executives, some concerned staff members circulated a petition - also calling for the resignation of the board.
Mpofu did not attend the conference but was said to be working.
Top SABC bosses revolt
Edward Tsumele
Edward Tsumele
In a new twist to the SABC saga involving the board and chief executive Dali Mpofu, the wrangle deepened yesterday.
Almost all top executives at the broadcaster threw their weight behind Mpofu and demanded the immediate resignation of the board.
The demand is contained in the letter penned by the executives and which Sipho Sithole, head of strategy and risk management, read out at a media conference yesterday.
Sithole was flanked by Kaizer Kganyago, head of communications, Charlotte Mampane, acting chief operations officer, and Mvuzo Mbebe, head of content enterprises when he read the letter.
Others who signed the letter of demand to the board are Phumelele Ntombela-Ndzimande, head of human resources, Thami Ntenteni, head of public broadcasting service (radio), and Thabang Mathibe, acting general manager: legal affairs.
"This is not a call we are making lightly, but one whose potential consequences we are fully aware of and made in the interests of the SABC and the public," said Sithole, as he read the letter of demand.
Sithole cited events of the past week involving the board and Mpofu as the catalyst for the latest unfolding drama at the public broadcaster.
"The events of the past week pertaining to the re-suspension of the group chief executive officer, advocate Dali Mpofu, and the subsequent exchange of e-mails from the chairperson (Khanyisile Mkhonza) and some members of the executive committee have exacerbated the situation.
"The exchange of correspondence and conversations between the board and some members of the group executive committee has once and for all confirmed what has always been our suspicion that the suspension of the group chief executive was motivated by ulterior and improper motives which have nothing to do with the best interests of the SABC, and does not enjoy the support of all board members," Sithole said.
In a related but separate action taken by the executives, some concerned staff members circulated a petition - also calling for the resignation of the board.
Mpofu did not attend the conference but was said to be working.