Viewers suffer as SABC in debt struggle
THE SABC is hand over fist in debt, having lost more than R1 billion during the last three financial years. They are now looking for a massive bailout from Treasury – the figure of R6bn, among others, was mentioned last week.
The corporation has been unable to fully pay for work already being screened or commissioned and in the pipeline, while the income of smaller production houses and contributors – including artists entitled to copyright fees, as reported last week – are once again frantically trying to stay afloat.
Also, SABC staffers are in limbo, stressing each month in case there won’t be money to pay their salaries.
Yet the public broadcaster has the nerve to continue to flight the Guptaowned New Age breakfasts live on SABC 2’s Morning Live programme –recently the broadcast came from North West.
An SABC spokesman has been quoted as saying that chasing these ANC/government/Gupta public relations exercises costs the corporation at least R1 million a shot to provide outside broadcast vans, technicians, travel expenses, etc.
Given its precarious state of affairs, how can the corporation justify continuing to throw away money they don’t have.
Taxpayers are paying for the slop being dished up – especially on SABC3 – yet are getting no returns. The fact that viewers are deserting the sinking ship is proof enough; ratings across all channels have plummeted to an alltime low of 45% of the TV pie.
As the unholy mess was allowed to develop under arrogant acting chief operations officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng – suspended by a high court some months ago and now facing disciplinary action – he should be made to pay back the money.
As should the former minister of communications who, to put it kindly, appears to have been derelict in her oversight duty, seemingly turning a blind eye to the shenanigans under the dictatorial and narcissistic Motsoeneng.
How galling that we, as taxpayers, are forced to tighten our belts until we are about to suffocate, yet he reportedly continues to be paid big bucks while on suspension.
Hlaudi should be made to pay back the money
Randburg