Three officials involved with South Africa's digital television migration to digital terrestrial television (DTT) have been suspended after allegations of misappropriating R29 million.
Andrew Hlubi, the chief financial officer (CFO); Molefi Mollo, business development officer; and Archie Mbatha, the supply-chain manager at the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (Usaasa) have all been suspended pending the outcome of a forensic audit.
Usaasa is the body tasked with the project of the logistics surrounding the subsidy that will be given by the government to the 5 million poorest TV households in South Africa to be able to buy a set top box (STB) when South Africa's TV industry switches from analogue broadcasting to a digital broadcasting system.
According to the forensic audit, millions of rand were paid to companies who haven't completed projects, incorrect contractors who were paid even if they didn't do any work.
