Parliament, Tuesday, 9 2019 – The Portfolio Committee on Communications has welcomed progress made by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigations into the affairs of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in line with two presidential proclamations, namely R29 of 2017 and R19 of 2018.
The presentation highlighted, among others, the fact that two contracts to the value of over R100 million were found to be irregular and set aside by courts of law. There is also evidence which led to the institution of civil litigation by the SIU and SABC in ten court matters to the value of more than R560 million. This resulted in 11 criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and, evidence which supported 24 disciplinary cases at the SABC.
The committee resolved to invite the NPA as soon as possible to get an update on the 11 criminal referrals.
The committee was also briefed by the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) on its first quarter performance report for the 2019/20 financial year. It raised a need for strengthening the relationship between ICASA, the Department of Communications and Parliament, as required by law.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Boyce Maneli, said that the ICASA highlighted a number of problematic areas, including exorbitant expenditure on litigation. This, he said, required urgent attention.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS, MR BOYCE MANELI
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact Media Officer:
Name: Mr Justice Molafo
Tel: 021 403 8444
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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