by Thinus Ferreira
The South African public broadcaster has reinstated Rams Mabote who it effectively fired, with the SABC News current affairs presenter who has had his suspension lifted following allegations of inappropriate touching of a female colleague that couldn't be proven.
Rams Mabote is however not seen back anchoring the weekly Media & Society magazine show on Sundays on SABC News (DStv 404) since that show and others like Vital Signs have been shelfed for the time being to make programming space for SABC News to give general coverage to South Africa's upcoming municipal elections taking place on 1 November.
In August the SABC suspended Rams Mabote pending an investigation after a woman alleged that Rams Mabote had touched her inappropriately during pre-show preparations for the edition that was broadcast on 15 August.
The SABC couldn't find proof and had to lift the suspension of Rams Mabote and "unfire" him by overturning the termination of the contract, although the broadcaster said it will be continuing an investigation into the incident.
"Please be advised that the alleged incident will be subject to an investigation, which will determine the future handling of the complaint," advocate Nththuzelo Vanara, the SABC's head of legal services, wrote in a lawyer's letter to Rams Mabote's legal representative.
"In the meantime, the purported 'suspension' of your client is lifted, and the subsequent termination of the independent contract withdrawn. Further, your client will be paid his fees from date of suspension until 19 September 2021."
"Business has advised that all weekend shows, including Vital Signs and Media & Society, are off air on the SABC News channel until a week after the local government elections, due to the need to focus on the coverage of the upcoming local government elections."
"Further details regarding the investigation and the future conduct of the complaint will follow from business in due course."
