The interim board at the SABC has made one of the first most decisive moves in the efforts to clean up the public broadcaster, with the removal of acting CEO, James Aguma.
The board’s chairperson, Khanyisile Kweyama, confirmed this morning that Aguma, who was supposedly on sick leave, has been suspended and the current acting acting: CEO, Tsheliso Ralitabo, will now be the acting CEO (it’s confusing, we know).
Aguma has been fingered by SABC staff and opposition party members as one of the people who enabled former COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, to run the public broadcaster by his own rules and cause much of its downfall over the past year.
Phumzile van Damme, DA Spokesperson and member of the ad hoc committee which oversaw the SABC inquiry, welcomed the suspension.
I see it has broken that James Aguma suspended. Great news. He & Hlaudi are responsible for the terrible mess SABC is in. Accountability! ????????
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) May 26, 2017
#Aguma is a cautionary tale of what happens to public servants who sell their souls to the devil (excerpt from a statement I issued in Apr) pic.twitter.com/4hQpB52Nlt
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) May 27, 2017
The ANC Study Group on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) also welcomed the suspension, adding that it follows a recent recommendation that he be placed on suspension while the Interim SABC Board conducts its forensic investigation into irregularities in procurement and expenditure at the SABC.
“We are confident of the efforts by the Interim SABC Board in their commitment of restoring good governance and public confidence in our public broadcaster” the group said.