Stop the appointment of another problem leader at SABC

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) applauds Rachel Kalidass for her principled decision to resign from the new SABC board to highlight her objections to the potential appointment of Alan Mukoki as SABC CEO.

Mukoko’s CV includes a period as CEO of the Land Bank and he was accused by the media (Mail & Guardian) of siphoning substantial amounts of funds from the Land Bank; he denied this at the time. He also allegedly has a conflict of interest due to family connections with SABC.

“OUTA finds it disturbing that a candidate with such a dubious record, and one so close to home in the SABC, could be considered to run the public broadcaster successfully,” says Dominique Msibi, OUTA’s Portfolio Manager for Social Services and Special Projects.

“SABC needs rescuing from its financial and political mess. It needs new leadership with integrity, not another round of appointees with dubious track records.”

Kalidass wrote to President Jacob Zuma, explained her concerns and objecting to the intended appointment, copying her letter to the Portfolio Committee on Communications. Mukoki’s appointment was reportedly supported by the majority of the rest of the board.

OUTA urges the president to heed Kalidass’s letter, her concern to save the SABC and to prevent the undoing of the interim board’s progressive achievements.

“We’d like to see Kalidass retained on the board, instead of having to resign over ongoing attempts to hijack the SABC,” says Msibi.