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A reply to a DA parliamentary question reveals that former SABC Chairperson Ellen Tshabalala was paid more than R 1.3 million during her 22-month tenure.

We believe that this R 1.3 million constitutes ill-gotten gains and must be paid back.

If Tshabalala had been honest about her lack of qualifications, she would not have been appointed SABC Chairperson in the first place. If she had not been appointed, she would not have been paid R 1.3 million.

This is not just a moral argument. It is SABC policy that any money accruing to an individual as a result of a wrongful act must be paid back. This is set out on page 67 of last year’s SABC Annual Report, as follows:

“The SABC shall take appropriate steps, including legal action, to recover any losses from fraudulent and/or corrupt activities or any other wrongful act. This may include action against third parties involved in fraudulent and/or corrupt activities or any other wrongful act, or whose negligent actions contributed to such acts.”

I have therefore written to the Acting Chairperson of the SABC Board, Professor Mbulaheni Obert Maghuve, to ascertain what steps, if any, have been taken to recover the R 1.3 million paid out to Tshabalala. The letter further urges Professor Maghuve to begin taking such steps if none have yet been taken.

The SABC needs to close this sorry chapter in its history by enforcing its own fraud and corruption policy. The people of South Africa were rightly sickened when it emerged that Tshabalala had lied about her qualifications. The least the SABC can do is force her to pay back the money.

Issued by DA