''We wish to place firmly on record that the new SABC board is committed to turning the SABC around, both in terms of content and revenue,'' says dr. Ben Ngubane, chairperson of the new SABC board in a just-released press statement.
This press statement follows after the suspended Gab Mampone, the SABC's former acting CEO, allegedly said that his replacement, Solly Mokoetle wanted him gone.
''We are also committed to ensuring that the broadcaster is above any suspicion when it comes to mismanagement or corruption,'' says dr. Ben Ngubane. ''There have been serious concerns about the falling revenue of the SABC in the past two to three years. This has prejudiced not only the broadcaster but also the livelihoods of our local independent producers, many of whom depend on the SABC for their livelihood.
''As head of commercial enterprises, Gab Mampone played an important role in the generation of revenue for the SABC. His suspension is to enable the SABC board to investigate and give an accurate picture of the reasons why revenue has declined so markedly in the past three years. We are committed to good governance of the public broadcaster, which is an important public asset. Our preliminary investigations in the first two months of our tenure have revealed serious shortcomings in some divisions, including commercial enterprises. Gab Mampone's suspension was critical to our investigations into the sales and marketing, revenue as well as the governance of the SABC.''
