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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, Ms Joyce Moloi-Moropa, has noted a report in page 4 of the Business Day newspaper on Thursday, 28 May 2015, in which Members of the Committee from opposition parties are calling for readvertising of three vacant positions at the South African Broadcasting Corporations (SABC) board.

“These sentiments are just political posturing, mainly because by virtue of being part of the Committee, the Members concerned have every right to raise any pertinent matter in a Committee meeting,” said Ms Moloi-Moropa.

“They go on to make wild allegations that ‘credible’ candidates are reluctant to apply for the current vacancies at the board of the SABC because they do not want to be associated with the Corporation in its current form.

“Again, these assertions resemble double-standard in the part of Members. Perhaps they should answer one or two questions first: If it is indeed true that ‘credible’ candidates are reluctant to apply, then why are these Members still finding it fit to readvertise? What would have changed the minds of these prospective so called ‘credible’ candidates by the time adverts are put out in the media?” Ms Moloi-Moropa asked.

Upon receipt of the legal opinion from Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Services Unit, the Committee agreed unanimously to convey the information to the Minister of the Department of Communications, Ms Faith Mthambi, in order to solicit her comments. If the need arises, the Committee will reconvene to deliberate further on the legal opinion, depending on the response of the Minister.

The Chairperson rejects a tendency of conducting the business of the Committee through the media and views this exercise as a gimmick aimed at scoring cheap political points. “The question of whether or not these positions should be readvertised is a matter to be decided upon by a formally constituted Sub-Committee responsible for the short-listing, of which Members are party to the Committee,” the Chairperson said.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Service on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, Ms Joyce Moloi Moropa