BREAKING. Support Public Broadcasting's (SOS) strongly-worded open letter to government about the SABC chaos: Fire dr Ben Ngubane!

The public pressure group Support Public Broadcasting Coalition (SOS) just send an open letter to mr Ismail Vadi, the chairperson of parliament's portfolio committee on communications. Yesterday Ismail Vadi called the entire SABC board to appear before the commitee on communications on Monday to answer about the new chaos and infighting crippling South Africa's public broadcaster highest executive level.

In the open letter SOS says the public pressure group (that represents a vast number of trade unions, independent producer organisations, academics and freedom of expression groups and institutions) is concerned about ''the persistent undermining of the governance role of the SABC board'' and the ''power battles over the performance of SABC group CEO Solly Mokoetle.''

''Solly Mokoetle has ignored and overturned SABC board decisions and has been supported in this by the SABC chairperson dr Ben Ngubane who appears disinterested in the opinion of the majority of the SABC board. Dr Ben Ngubane does not appear to believe that he needs the approval of the SABC board on any matter or indeed that their strong disapproval should sway his unilateral decisions,'' says the SOS in the strongly-worded letter.

''SABC board members have declared a vote of no confidence in the SABC chairperson. Since May SABC board meetings have been constantly cancelled leading to a situation where no real interrogation and action is being taken against the SABC chairperson. Further, no real oversight has been taken over key governance and financial issues for a number of months. Over the last months, effective oversight and leadership of the SABC has suffered deeply due to a stand-off between the SABC chairperson and the group CEO and the rest of the SABC board members. This has deepened the political, economic and governance crises the SABC has faced over a number of years.''

''The SOS believes that the prospect of the resignation of numerous members of the SABC board - that in general has the confidence of the public - will be devastating for the future of the public broadcaster. At present the SABC is torn asunder for what can only be described as dubious reasons. SOS believes strongly that the control of the SABC has to be in the hands of the SABC board that was put in place by a public and democratic process. Without this SOS believes the SABC is no longer accountable to the public.''

''SOS welcomes parliament's decision to exercise its oversight role over the SABC and to investigate the controversy around the appointment of the head of news, progress (or lack thereof) related to the drafting of the SABC's turnaround strategy and the overall functionality of the SABC board. SOS expects parliament will take action to finally remove the chairperson of the SABC board.''