''E.tv has tried, on numerous occasions, to address our concerns with the Saftas committee over the past two years,'' says Monde Twala, e.tv channel head, saying that a ''lack of transparency and unclear processes are some of the reasons e.tv is withdrawing its participation from this year's awards.''
The true fractious nature of the in-fighting among the different roleplayers behind the scenes of the controversial awards ceremony became blatantly evident when Eddie Mbalo, the chairperson of the Saftas and also the interim chairperson of the pay TV operator TopTV hit back at the broadcaster after the TV channel pulled out.
Earlier this week Eddie Mbalo hit back at e.tv saying e.tv's participation in the awards show was ''considerably low'' anyway and that ''maybe if the broadcasters were playing their part and even contributing towards funding of the Saftas the withdrawal would not be at the drop of the hat as is the case at the moment.''
E.tv's withdrawal comes after SABC2 and it's popular soap 7de Laan both discovered that it will suddenly not be included in the Best Soap category which is decided through a viewers' vote and for which it can't enter. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) which runs the Saftas decided that 7de Laan is not eligible to be included in the Best Soap category since the show didn't enter any of the other categories.
Meanwhile SABC3 will have to do with an edited and recorded broadcast of the Saftas Sunday. The NFVF which couldn't find a broadcaster for the 5th Saftas last year informed SABC3 last month that the dates of the two night ceremony to be held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand are now moving, leaving SABC3 unable to alter its schedule of what would have been a live broadcast on Sunday night.
E.tv is now further explaining why the broadcaster felt it had to take the drastic step of pulling out of the Saftas as says the competition has a huge credibility problem.
''The credibility of the Saftas should be a priority and this necessitates a greater need for transparency and fairness,'' says Monde Twala. ''There should be a well outlined judging process and formalised structure in the form of an Academy that will manage and take full responsibility without bias or favour towards a single broadcaster.''
E.tv is also slamming the competition for what it says is a structure that does not work.
''E.tv, therefore, recognises that efforts need to be directed towards achieving a working structural committee that has clear objectives and takes full accountability for the process. The current structure does not work and needs to be urgently revised. We have formally submitted a list of concerns to the NFVF representatives and the chairman of the Saftas committee, Eddie Mbalo. E.tv has withdrawn its participation until all matters raised are addressed.''
