'Perpetual dark cloud of depravity, ineptitude, self-interest and corruption looms large over the SABC," says trade union Mwasa.

"A perpetual dark cloud of depravity, ineptitude, self-interest and corruption looms large over the SABC," says the trade union Media Workers Association of South Africa (Mwasa) in a strongly worded statement, calling for the beleaguered South African public broadcaster to be changed into a "Chapter 9" institution.

Within the South African context - unlike the more familiar American expression of "Chapter 9", it doesn't denote bankrupty, but rather an institution functioning independently from any government interference.

Mwasa says "tortured and abused employees have kept the SABC on air" and that once again "calls are made to long-suffering employees to put all hands on deck and to bouy or sustain another trampoline for the shenanigans at decision-making levels far removed from their daily chores."

Mwasa says the SABC's new interim board, the embattled SABC's second interim board in four years, "will achieve less than nothing" if staff are not incorporated "in all aspects of finding sustainable strategy solutions to the pervasive challenges crippling the SABC."

Mwasa says "there is immense boadcasting experience wealth, talent and skill in and around the SABC which must be recognised and generously tapped into".

Mwasa says the SABC has "hobbled along for over a decade without effective oversight structures" and that the trade union fears that the SABC might end up being placed under administration.