Accusations and counteraccusations between board members, executive management and staff of the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) came to the fore on Tuesday during an oversight engagement with Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies.
The committee was engaging with the MDDA as part of a three-day oversight visit to communications entities in Gauteng, aimed at probing allegations of governance failures and operational challenges at the agency.
During the meeting, the committee interrogated a range of issues, including governance and compliance failures, adverse audit findings, the appointment of the agency’s chief executive officer (CEO), ongoing litigation, procurement processes and labour relations.
Staff members raised several concerns directly with the committee, prompting robust exchanges during the engagement. The committee said it took the concerns seriously and would consider them further before reflecting on them in its final oversight report.
Allegations surrounding the appointment of the CEO were also raised, with some staff questioning the process followed. However, the committee noted that the matter is currently before the courts and therefore sub judice. It nonetheless urged staff to continue working constructively with the CEO while legal processes unfold.
The committee further observed signs of disunity within the MDDA board, with differing views emerging during the engagement. Despite this, the committee expressed confidence that the board, acting collectively, remains capable of providing stability and steering the agency in line with its strategic objectives.
The MDDA was one of four entities earmarked for oversight during the visit, alongside the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa, the Universal Service and Access Fund and Broadband Infraco.
In concluding the engagement, the committee emphasised the need for improved collaboration between staff, executive management and the board to ensure the effective delivery of the MDDA’s mandate and to advance the broader public interest.
Justice Molafo
28 January 2026
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