Massive upheaval is shaking South Africa's public broadcaster with the SABC facing a barrage of crises on multiple fronts - boiling forth from its news room and multiple allegations of political news bias and interference, and reaching all the way up to the upper echelons of its Auckland Park headquarters where major top-level executive management turmoil is once again shaking the beleaguered SABC to its inner core.
"The board of the South African broadcasting corporation met in an emergency meeting today," the SABC says in a just-issued press statement. "The SABC board has resolved to suspend the chief financial officer, Gugu Duda, with immediate effect."
The SABC confirms that the acting head of procurement Nopilo Dlamini has already been suspended last week.
The SABC's CEO Lulama Mokhobo revealed on Tuesday in parliament that Gugu Duda would be served with a letter on Wednesday demanding she give reasons why she should NOT be immediately suspended.
Yesterday Gugu Duda, now represented by lawyer Dali Mpofu, received her letter demanding she explain why she should not be placed on immediate suspension.
"Because the external investigation implicates the chief financial officer, the SABC board asked the chief financial officer in writing to advise why any action should not be taken against her," says the SABC in the statement. "She refused to sign this letter and instead presented the SABC board with a lawyer's letter."
"In the second investigation by the SABC's internal audit department, further and additional information came to the attention of the SABC board today. The board believes the information is sufficient to confirm its decision to suspend her," says the SABC.
"In line with principles of fairness and good labour practice, we appeal to the public to allow the board to complete these processes in accordance with the law."
