26 February 2023, The Citizen, Molefe Seeletsa
Non-profit organisation Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) filed an urgent application with the ConCourt on Friday following delays which have left SABC operating without a board for more than four months.
Despite a shortlist of nominated candidates having been approved by Parliament, it was recently revealed that SABC group chief executive officer (GCEO), Madoda Mxakwe, was designated as the acting board chairperson.
‘Unconstitutional’
The MMA, in their application, have since asked the ConCourt to direct Ramaphosa to immediately appoint a new board.
“MMA seeks an order declaring that the president has failed to fulfil this obligation diligently and without delay, and directing him to do so without further delay.
“The application falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of this court, alternatively, it is in the interests of justice to grant the applicant direct access to this court,” the court papers read.
“The application is urgent owing to the fact that the SABC, a public institution serving cardinal constitutional aims, will soon have been without a board for half a financial year, which ends on 31 March 2023.”