The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has come under increased pressure concerning its spending after questions from two opposition parties to the communications minister Dina Pule.
More than ZAR700 million (US$72.3 million) was spent on local content in 2012, with documentaries, education and children’s programmes receiving the least money. The figures were released by Pule after a parliamentary question was submitted by Congress of the People MP Juli Killian.
In a separate development, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) spokesperson for communications Marian Shinn has raised concerns after media reports stated Phil Molefe, SABC’s head of news and current affairs, had received a ZAR1.5 million (US$155,000) payout.
Shinn’s concerns arise because Molefe had previously asked for a payout of between ZAR6 million (US$620,000) and ZAR7 million (US$723,000), while a disciplinary hearing for Molefe was yet to start.
He was suspended a year ago while on a salary of ZAR2.2 million (US$227,000).
Shinn said: “Clarity on the reasons and terms of this payout is essential to determine how much these high-profile SABC employees cost the taxpayer.
“It is becoming standard procedure to negotiate handsome handshakes to minimise the cost and nuisance value of lengthy disciplinary hearings or criminal charges.”
Regarding Killian’s answer from Pule on programme spending, the SABC spent a total of ZAR758 millionm (US$78 million) in 2012.
Drama shows took up ZAR282 million (US$29 million) of that compared to ZAR114 million (US$12 million) for sport, ZAR57 million (US$6 million) for education and ZAR56 million (US$6 million) for children’s shows.
