Issued by: North West Communications
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER OF THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE - 26 OCTOBER 1995
I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for once again coming to listen to me and my provincial cabinet.
If you will allow me, I will go straight to the issue.
Yesterday, my cabinet and I had a lengthy meeting at which we resolved several issues, including those about the BBC and cabinet changes.
With regard to the BBC, The North West Government, in understanding the rationalisation process of the public service and parastatals accepted the rationale of having to reduce staff at the corporation by 288 personnel.
Exco gave qualified approval for this in the interests of a NPBS.
Further details such as the value of the packages and the expert opinion of labour specialists in obtaining a humane result were still to be furnished to Exco.
At no stage did Exco authorise interference with the employment of the rest of the BBC community. The legal opinion obtained by BBC management confirmed that legislation would have to be introduced Nationally and Provincially in order to dissolve BBC as an institution.
The integration between the SABC, BBC, CBC, TBC, RTH and independent Capital Radio involving 6 000 broadcasters would eventually constitute the new NPBS. This process has just only commenced and conclusions of non-participation in the new structure by any broadcasters is premature.
It is for this reason under the circumstances that the North West Provincial Government is opposed to the large scale retrenchment of the BBC community.
We, therefore propose a moratorium on all retrenchments in the BBC.
We believe such a moratorium should be in place for a period of two (2) years specifically aimed at protecting categories and occupational classes with specific skills.
We disagree vehemently with the actions of BBC management.
Their actions contradict the interests of the Provincial Government and the people of the province by allowing such large scale unemployment.
I also wish to announce that a Parliamentary Task force will henceforth assist the process of ensuring continued quality services as provided for the BBC, assisted by the Director General of the Province.
The packages in excess of R400 million cannot be allowed.
Such abusive financial practices as negotiated for by the Management of BBC is unauthorised and contrary to all known labour packages in South African history.
I would also like to advise that Ms Riani de Wet, MEC for Media, Arts and Culture has tendered her resignation and this has been accepted.