COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY SHOCKING!
The SABC's group executive Solly Mokoetle has gone ahead and appointed Phil Molefe as the new head of news and current affairs at the SABC for a fixed five year contract. Meanwhile its the SABC board who has to make and approve the decision but Solly Mokoetle went ahead and did it without the SABC board having any knowledge of it, or any decision on the matter being even put before the SABC board! Shocking! Shocking Shocking!
And here's another shocker: I can tell you that the SABC board found out about the ''decision'' when the media reported it yesterday.
I just spoke to Pippa Green, SABC board member. Pippa Green tells me the SABC board has/had no idea about Phil Molefe's appointment, despite Solly Mokoetle himself saying yesterday: ''The SABC board and I are happy that this matter has been brought to finality as promised.''
Pippa Green tells me ''there was a process underway to appoint a new head of news. In terms of the governance and regulations, when a decision is made, that has to go before the SABC board for approval at SABC board level. The decision to appoint Phil Molefe was not put before the board.''
Here is what else I asked Pippa Green moments ago:
The SABC in a press statement with a quote from Solly Mokoetle said he and the SABC board is happy with the appointment, basically that the SABC board is giving their seal of approval.
''It's not a question of the SABC board being happy or unhappy. The decision has not come before the SABC board.''
I want to ask you Pippa, would that then mean that Phil Molefe's appointment as permanent head of news - because he's been the interim head of news - mean that it's not a legitimate appointment?
''I really can't comment on that. You've got to ask lawyers. All I'm saying to you is it didn't come before the SABC board.''
Can you tell me when you heard?
''I heard yesterday with everyone else.''
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