Disciplinary action for the SABC's top TV and radio news bosses - Nothando Maseko, Sophie Mokoena and Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane - over news agency contract and alleged poor performance.

The top SABC News managers Nothando Maseko, Sophie Mokoena and Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane got notices of disciplinary hearings over irregular expenditure of millions of rand and allegations of poor performance at the South African public broadcaster.

SundayWorld first reported that Nothando Maseko, the SABC's head of TV news, Sophie Mokoena as the SABC's foreign editor, and Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane, the SABC's head of radio news have all been asked to answer over issues ranging from irregular expenditure of R2.5 million regarding the use of a foreign news agency, as well as over alleged poor work performance.

Neo Momodu, SABC spokesperson said that "The SABC can confirm that the individuals have been subjected to disciplinary processes however, we will not share information nor discuss the merits of the disciplinary cases publicly".

Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane has reportedly decided to jump ship days before her scheduled disciplinary hearing over allegations of poor work performance and her failure to act against someone who was named in a forensic investigation report about the irregular news agency agreement, and apparently applied for early retirement.

What allegedly happened according to the report, is that Sophie Mokoena assigned stories to a new international news agency, Features Story News (FSN), without a contract - something that amounts to irregular expenditure by the SABC. FSN was signed after the SABC's existing contracts with Reuters and AFP had run out.

This landed Sophie Mokoena a disciplinary for alleged failure to adhere to the SABC's procurement policies when signing with foreign news agencies.

Both Nothando Maseko and Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane were apparently charged with alleged poor performance due to their alleged failure to submit operational plans for the year when the SABC's head of news and current affairs, Phathiswa Magopeni, asked them to do so.

Both Nothando Maseko and Sophie Mokoena also allegedly failed to submit their inputs for the SABC's upcoming national election coverage for 2019, leading to additional charges.

Calls for urgent parliamentary meeting next week after SABC staffers threaten strike; DA political party says staffers 'within their rights to take action to prevent SABC sliding backwards'.

There's calls for an urgent parliamentary meeting to be held in the coming week after angry and fed-up SABC staffers are saying they're planning to strike.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) political party has called for an urgent meeting to be held in parliament in the coming week following threatened strike action by SABC trade unions who say they've had enough of "threats and fear" at the beleaguered and cash-strapped South Africa public broadcaster plagued by mismanagement.

SABC staffers on the verge of revolt, want acting SABC news boss Kenneth Makatees a so-called "enforcer of the SABC's Protest Policy" gone.

SABC staffers are also demanding the immediate suspension and removal of several alleged executives who are so-called "Hlaudi enforcers" like Nothando Maseko and are demanding an investigation into the appointment of Bessie Tugwana as acting COO.

The DA political party's member of parliament, Phumzile van Damme, says the DA "fully supports the right of SABC staff to engage in legal strike action" - something that trade unions Bemawu and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) has told SABC top management could lead to a SABC blackout.

The DA says several of the demands in the joint letter of demand on Friday that Bemawu and the CWU sent to the SABC's top executives are reasonable, particularly "the immediate appointment of the SABC board as recommended by parliament, disciplinary action against the former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng and so-called enforcers", and a "full investigation" of the SABC's since overturned SABC TV News censorship policy.

"The brilliant work initiated by the SABC interim board to steer the SABC to calm waters has been stalled, and the public broadcaster has begun sliding backwards," says Phumzile van Damme.

"The SABC has many talented, qualified staff who care deeply about ensuring that the public broadcaster delivers on its mandate to South Africa."

"They are therefore well within their rights to take action to prevent the SABC sliding backwards and once again becoming a cesspool of corruption, mismanagement and poor programming."

The Democratic Alliance political party wants parliament's portfolio comittee on communications to hold a meeting in the coming week to allow the trade unions Bemawu and CWU, as well as the so-called 'SABC8" journalists who protested the SABC's news censorship policy, to "tell their side of the story".

"Many of the concerns raised by the SABC staff could have been prevented did the SABC have a board in place".

Angry SABC staffers demand immediate suspension, removal of alleged 'Hlaudi enforcers' Kenneth Makatees, Nothando Maseko; investigation into COO Bessie Tugwana's appointment.

Angry SABC staffers at the struggling South African public broadcaster in a strongly-worded letter are demanding the immediate suspension and removal of several alleged executives who are so-called "Hlaudi enforcers" like acting news boss Kenneth Makatees, Nothando Maseko and for an investigation into the appointment of Bessie Tugwana as acting COO.

SABC staffers on the verge of revolt, want Kenneth Makatees a so-called "enforcer of the SABC's Protest Policy" gone.

Kenneth Makatees recently had a meeting with the president Jacob Zuma, with the presidency that has refused to answer calls for a release of the meeting's transcripts.

SABC staffers are furious and are warning the public broadcaster that protected strike action is planned at the public broadcaster.

The SABC, deep in the red and having posted a R977 million loss, is mired in mismanagement, sits with no board and only acting executives in all of its top positions.

The trade unions Bemawu and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) in a joint letter of demand on Friday to the SABC's top bosses, warned the SABC management that most of the enforcers who supported the controversial and famously matricless executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng who instituted illegal SABC news censorship and the subsequent dismissal of the SABC journalists opposed to it - are still employed at the broadcaster.

SABC staffers say for these alleged enablers who are still employed "at lucrative salaries at the SABC" it is "business as usual, and they have escaped justice".

SABC staffers say they've been subjected to "threats and fear, unilateral restructurings, change of work practices and shift roster, appointments without advertising positions and a zero-percentage increase".

"In the meantime, the SABC is slipping deeper into insolvency, to the extent that it endangers the employment, well-being, and health of our members.

SABC staffers are warning that "it is our view the SABC is still captured by politicians – more than ever – and we cannot sit back to allow this to happen".

The trade unions in their letter say they demand "the immediate appointment of the SABC board already selected and recommended by parliament, and the immediate suspension of all the enforcers of the Protest Policy which resulted in the dismissal of the SABC8, to wit, Kenneth Makatees, Nothando Maseko, Nyana Molete and Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane."

The trade unions in the joint letter says it the immediate suspension of "all the unprocedurally appointed managers and/or people who supported the system to either enforce the Protest Policy, contributed to the poor financial position of the SABC," and those who "neglect to act when policies and procedures were not followed, and did not report irregularities when they became aware of same".

According to Bemawu and the CWU in their letter this includes Tshifhiwa Mulaudzi, the SABC's executive for sales & marketing; Abdul Matthee who Bemawu and the CWU claim is responsible for millions of rand in losses due to the failures of the Landmark system, as well as Keobokile Mosweu, Sizwe Vilikazi, Bessie Tugwana, Tseliso Ralitabo, Ayanda Mkhize and Theresa Geldenhuys.

Staffers demand the immediate suspension of "the status quo in respect of structural changes, work patterns and hours of employees, in particular in News, until a new board is in office, and employees be properly consulted."

They also want "the full and unconditional restoration of the merger between Henley Studios and News, with no change in reporting lines and work practices, without full and proper consultation with employees, and only after a new Board has been appointed."

Other demands include "a salary increase of 10% across the board, backdated to April 2017" and "the appointment of all workers previously on fixed term contracts at News, whose contracts has not been renewed as fixed term, but as freelance contracts, or not at all.

SABC staffers are also calling for "the removal of Kenneth Makatees as acting head of news, to be replaced by a non-enforcer nominated from the competent news staff in Johannesburg," and the "redeployment of Themba Mathonsi to a different department".

Bemawu and the CWU say SABC staffers are "tired of his Gestapo style of management".

SABC staffers are further demanding a "full investigation regarding the protest policy and the report should be made public; an investigation at SABC Sport in respect of the non-renewal of contracts; the redeployment of admin people in operational roles under the disguise to develop them; and the appointment of freelancers to act in permanent positions".

SABC staff also want an investigation into the appointment of Bessie Tugwana as the acting SABC COO "in particular as she has reached retirement age, and allegations of her employing friends".

Staffers also want "the renewal of the contract of Keobokile Mosweu, an alleged enforcer of Motsoeneng to be investigated and reversed".

Bemawu and the CWU told the SABC's acting CEO Nomsa Philiso that it's giving SABC management 7 days to meet these demands.

"Should these demands not be met in 7 days, excluding the unilateral change to the shift roster of News Staff, from date of this letter, labour will file a dispute and ballot its members to seek a mandate for a protected strike".

SABC fires SABC News reporter Kgoahelo Magolego for allegedly failing to report on communications minister Faith Muthambi handing out food parcels and blankets.

The SABC has fired the SABC News reporter Kgoahelo Magolego, allegedly for failing toproduce a story and report on the minister of communications, Faith Muthambi, handing out food parcels and blankets at a Lephalale event in November 2015 in Limpopo.

"We can confirm the employee was subjected to a disciplinary process and it was recommended that he must be fired," said Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson to Sunday papers.

"He has appealed the outcome and the SABC is waiting for the appeal process to be concluded".

At the November event, of which an audio recording surfaced in December, Kgoahelo Magolego, asked Faith Muthambi about the reasons for South Africa's delays with the migration of digital terrestrial television (DTT).

Faith Muthambi told Kgoahelo Magolego it's "boring" and then instructed the SABC News reporter not to broadcast the interview, saying "On a serious note I wouldn't like you to play that clip. I have realised very late".

Kgoahelo Magolego interview wasn't broadcast.

Faith Muthambi allegedly complained to the SABC's chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneneng asking for action to be taken against the journalist; the SABC denied it.

Nothando Maseko, the SABC's head of TV news told Kgoahelo Magolego that he is going to be suspended. He was allegedly fired over insubordination.

SABC appoints Jimi Mathews as new head of SABC News, ups Nothando Maseko as head of SABC TV News, Bessie Tugwana to run SABC Sport.

The SABC is making executive appointments, which are becoming effective from 1 December 2014, moving Jimi Mathews to head of SABC News and current affairs, making Nothando Maseko the head of SABC Television news, Sebolelo Ditlhakayane the head of SABC Radio news and Bessie Tugwana the head of SABC Sport.

Sully Motsweni is appointed as the head of SABC stakeholder relations and provinces.

Jimi Mathews has been acting in the position of group executive: news and current affairs and will now get the position permanently.

Bessie Tugwana has been acting in the position for a while, and is now getting to be the boss of SABC Sport permanently after having worked at the television side as an executive for year.

Nothando Maseko who is taking over as the head of SABC Television news has been the executive producer of SABC2's morning show, Morning Live. Nothando Maseko will be an "understudy" of Jimi Mathews until he leaves.

Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane as the new head of SABC Radio news was the SABC's regional editor in the Northern Cape.

Vuyo Mbuli's SABC memorial service: 'Today is an overwhelming day for the SABC family,' says Lulama Mokhobo, SABC CEO.

You're reading it here first. 

"Today is an overwhelming day for the SABC family," said Lulama Mokhobo, SABC CEO at the jam-packed, emotional and very moving memorial service in the SABC's Renaissance Centre for Vuyo Mbuli, the co-anchor of the SABC's flagship breakfast show Morning Live on SABC2 who died unexpectedly on Saturday night four days after his 46th birthday.

The SABC's public memorial service held on Wednesday afternoon at the SABC's Auckland Park headquarters for the popular dead TV presenter drew a massive crowd as well as an outpouring of tributes from dignitaries, luminaries, politicians, artists and TV industry heavyweights who all attended.

In the public memorial service for Vuyo Mbuli which lasted more than 4 and a half hours, person after person after person took to the podium to talk and relate stories, anecdotes and tales about Vuyo Mbuli who was branded an "icon" on an SABC banner besides the stage.

Besides clips from the SABC archives from Morning Live and Vuyo Mbuli appearances, the SABC choir sang, Soweto children sang, violins played, and relatives spoke plainly and painfully.

The SABC put together a moving, terrific and incredibly beautiful tribute video filled with SABC colleagues spanning the breath of the public broadcaster talking and sharing memories about Vuyo Mbuli, filled with the big and small places across the length and breath of South Africa Vuyo Mbuli travelled to to do Morning Live from over the past 13 years.

Leanne Manas, his co-host on Morning Live for the past 9 years and who attended the memorial service said she was "flooded with memories" and called Vuyo Mbuli "short but a giant".

"This has been the hardest week of my entire life. I've lost a very big part of my life. My heart's jumping out of my body at this point in time. Vuyo was and is most of the most loved individuals in this country. He embraces and embodies everything that South Africa is about."

Addressing Vuyo Mbuli and saying she believes he's there, Leanne Manas said "I met your mother and your father, sadly, for the first time on Sunday. They cried when they saw me, Vuyo. I think they cried because I think they saw you when I walked through the door. And I saw you in them. I saw you in your father's eyes."

As tears kept streaming down her face, Tracy Going, Vuyo Mbuli's first co-anchor on Morning Live sat crying as photos spanning his career flashed on screen.

"He just made sure that you are happy coming to work and that you enjoy the experience," said Andile Masuko, the weather woman on Morning Live.

Ashraf Garda, Special Assignment presenter said Vuyo Mbuli is "for me very much the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of the broadcasting world. What I mean by that that they are quite irresistible."

"This is a person who just loved life and loved what he did," said Sophie Ndaba, Generations actress. "Every time we think of eloquence, every time we think of talent, every time we think of someone whose got the class to go along with what you want to present, we think of Vuyo."

Samm Marshall, Morning Live Weekend anchor said "Vuyo understood the business. He knew what morning TV was all about. It's about engaging with people; sharing your life with people; because they open up their hearts and their homes to you every morning."

"Here is a man who I can call 'sunrise'. Sunrise never ever lets you down - it's so consistent," said Yvonne Kgame, the SABC's acting head of strategy.

Bessie Tugwana, SABC2 channel head touches millions of ordinary South Africans and had a great work ethic.

"Vuyo Mbuli made a huge contribution," said actress Lillian Dube. "He made journalism something people aspired to be through his respect for the people he interviewed, always having that twinkle in his eye, his laugh - and he made you feel important."

"I think there's probably a lot of young people who are thinking of becoming broadcasters because of him," said Peter Ndoro, Morning Live's business anchor. "In his work I think he always tried to make South Africa a better place and he was very passionate about that."

Nothando Maseko, the executive producer of Morning Live - flanked on stage by the entire Morning Live crew as well as crew members who started Morning Live in November 1999 including Tracy Going - sang a song that Vuyo Mbuli sang on set every morning. "Obviously this is not an SABC choir" joked Nothando Maseko.

"Vuyo was spontaneous, Vuyo was brave, and very unpredictable," she said.

To Vuyo Mbuli's children aged 15 and 13 sitting right in front, she shared what Vuyo Mbuli once told her: "Thando, my children inspire me to wake up and to be who I am. My children are my dream."

BREAKING. Vuyo Mbuli dead after fatal heart attack; SABC2's Morning live presenter death leaves crew 'shocked and saddened'.

Vuyo Mbuli is dead after the co-presenter of SABC2's Morning Live breakfast show suffered a fatal heart attack and died. He was 46.

The Morning Live crew I'm told is shocked and saddened about Vuyo Mbuli's unexpected passing five days after his 46th birthday and who was described as "a healthy man". 

Vuyo Mbuli died in a Bloemfontein hospital yesterday after he collapsed and was rushed to the Bloemfontein Mediclinic on Saturday night after suffering a heart attack whilst watching a rugby match between the Cheetahs and the Reds at the Free State stadium.

He was treated at the stadium before he was taken to the Bloemfontein Mediclinic.

Vuyo Mbuli was the co-anchor of Morning Live since the start of the morning programme on SABC2 on 1 November 1999, first with Tracy Going and then with Leanne Manas. 

Vuyo Mbuli made his South African television debut in 1993 as a continuity presenter for SABC3, then did sports presenting and then read the news after taking the Morning Live job.

Vuyo Mbuli's absence come Morning morning on Morning Live following his untimely and tragic death after 13 years on the air in the Morning Live anchor chair, co-incidentally co-incides with the departure of Debora Patta on e.tv who've just left 3rd Degree this week with the final episode on South African public television - the show also ending after 13 years. 

While professional on the air, Vuyo Mbuli's personal life and side-businesses were at times more tumultuous away from the SABC cameras; Vuyo Mbuli's private life often made for lurid headlines and scandalous stories in South Africa's tabloid newspapers which had the South African television industry sniggering from time to time.

"From Morning Live our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, we will truly miss our anchor," said Morning Live in a statement on Sunday morning.

"He will be greatly missed," said Nothando Maseko Morning Live's executive producer. "It hasn't been easy for all of us at Morning Live. Vuyo's passing is definitely not just a loss to us here at the SABC but its a loss to his family, friends and I would say South Africa," she said.

"The thought of watching Monday morning and he's not there ... it's quite something," said Tracy Going, the former Morning Live co-presenter who said Vuyo Mbuli "could be moody. You know how we all are - we have the good and bad. But Vuyo Mbuli was incredibly committed and he was incredibly hard-working. He worked very very hard to be so well-informed."

Leanne Manas, Vuyo Mbuli's Morning Live co-presenter simply said I'm devastated."

"He was a person who was determined to make sure that South Africa succeeds," said Kaizer Kganyago, SABC spokesperson.

"In a press statement the SABC says "we will always remember Vuyo Mbuli for his dedication and loyalty not only on the job, but to the South African public at large through his engaging and thought-provoking presentation style."

"He will be sorely missed and on behalf of the SABC board, SABC management and our staff, our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. The public will fondly remember him for his catchphrase 'Sharp-sharp'."

In a statement the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) Patrick Craven said: "We are waking up poorer today. We shall miss one of the most familiar faces and voices in South African broadcasting. He was always a true professional, fair and friendly, humble and respectful, yet never afraid to ask difficult questions to get to the truth."

Thuli Madonsela, South Africa's public protector, said "it is quite a sad day for South Africa and for journalism."

Dina Pule, the minister of communications said "Vuyo Mbuli in studio was able to speak in many languages. The variety of languages he spoke made of Vuyo Mbuli a household name. I'm sure many people woke up when they heard his voice.Vuyo Mbuli had become part of our ritual and a part of our lives."

In a statement president Jacob Zuma said "It's hard to think of a more patriotic and positive person that Vuyo Mbuli. He was always cheerful and the whole nation will miss his smile and encouraging words. I wish to express, on behalf of government and the entire South African population, our words of condolence to the Mbuli family, friends and the SABC."

No funeral arrangements have been announced.

ALSO READ: Shocked SABC after Vuyo Mbuli's unexpected death, runs a simply on-air, in memoriam tribute card.
ALSO READ: Leanne Manas "devastated" over death of Vuyo Mbuli; stunned and shocked SABC executive react: '"Vuyo had so much to offer - still."