The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Today the Democratic Alliance (DA) refused to support the five candidates recommended by Parliament's portfolio committee on communications to serve on the SABC's interim board.

We did this because the ANC demonstrated that it was determined to push through its own candidates at any cost.

The DA, along with other opposition parties, nominated outstanding candidates who ought to have been considered seriously. These included Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, Dr. Frederick van Zyl Slabbert.

They were not, however, given due consideration by the ANC because, as with the dissolution of the original board, the ANC's MPs were determined to carry out the mandate handed down to them by Luthuli House.

The zeal with which the ANC pushed these candidates through is such that we cannot be satisfied that, in their totality, the five people elected will act fully independently of the ANC, and only in the interests of the SABC.

If this is an indication of the manner in which the ANC will be selecting members of the permanent board, which must be done by early January 2010, then it is clear that the ruling party has only been paying lip service to the constitutional principles of democratic process and the separation of party and state.