Malatsi had no authority to withdraw SABC Bill - Ntshavheni

CAPE TOWN - Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said that Communications Minister Solly Malatsi had no authority to withdraw the SABC Bill.

She said the withdrawal of the bill, which aims to find a sustainable funding model for the SABC, should have gone through Cabinet before Malatsi made the announcement.

Ntshavheni was addressing a post-Cabinet briefing in Parliament on Wednesday, saying the matter would now be discussed at the next meeting of Cabinet.

The withdrawal of the SABC Bill by Malatsi caused a row in Parliament, with the communications committee saying it wasn’t informed beforehand.

While Malatsi informed the Speaker of his decision, Parliament’s communications and digital technologies committee chairperson, Khusela Diko, said the minister’s decision was "highly ill-advised".

Ntshavheni on Wednesday explained where Malatsi went wrong.

"It's not a private member's bill. It's not Minister Malatsi's bill. It's a bill of Cabinet and the executive. So, in terms of the law, he cannot withdraw it without coming to Cabinet to agree for its withdrawal."

But she said that Malatsi didn't know the process and would not be "wrapped over the knuckles" or called out for his oversight.

"Ministers in Cabinet, we engage and correct each other. Wrapping over the knuckles is not our business."

The bill's withdrawal will be discussed at next week's Cabinet meeting, where a final decision will be taken.