The Portfolio Committee on Communications welcomes a ruling by the Western Cape High Court that dismissed application for leave to appeal launched by the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Aguma.

The SABC had applied for leave to appeal the Court’s ruling, which invalidated and set aside the appointment of former Chief Operations Officer (COO), Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng, as Group Executive for Corporate Affairs.

The Committee has noted with concern that the SABC’s application has attracted costs to the corporation, which could have been avoided.

“Notwithstanding the ruling, we still hold a view that the Minister of Communications, in her capacity as shareholder representative, should be invited to brief the Committee about the reasons behind the decision to appeal and the legal costs associated to it,” said Mr Humphrey Maxegwana, Committee Chairperson.

The Committee believes that the SABC will respect the Court ruling and implement it to the letter.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications, Mr Humphrey Maxegwana