South Africa's minister of communications, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, wants to dowsize the board of South Africa's troubled public broadcaster by cutting down the tally of SABC board members from 12 to just 9, and the number needed for a quorum to just 7.
A downsized SABC board will make the South African public broadcaster, plagued by government and political interference, even more susceptible to potential politically motivated "push through" rubber-stamp decisions, something that in the past led to major turmoil not just within the SABC board, but inside the whole operational workings of the SABC as a broadcaster.
The Sunday Independent reports that Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane supports the hugely controversial bill, introduced by her shamed and destructive predecessor, Faith Muthambi, to cut down the SABC board from 12 to 9 people and to reduce the number of board members necessary for a quorum.
The bill, if passed, will also give South Africa's minister of communications sweeping powers to usurp the hiring and firing of SABC board members.
While South Africa's president currently has the power to recommend the appointment and removal of SABC board members, that power will move to the minister of communications - something that will turn the SABC from a public, into a state broadcaster.
Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane is also planning to appeal a very lengthy, and clear cut judgment of the High Court that confirmed that the SABC board - not the minister of communications - is the authority to appoint the SABC's top-most executives.
The SABC is currently limping along without a permanent CEO, COO or CFO, with all three positions that continue to be filled by executives in acting positions.
