Ntshavheni says Cabinet will advise Malatsi following SABC Bill withdrawal
Ntshavheni says whatever limitations or problems are identified in the bill, it must first come to cabinet.
CAPE TOWN - Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said that Communications Minister Solly Malatsi was wrong to withdraw the SABC Bill.
But she said there would be ramifications for the decision and Malatsi would be advised by the president and his Cabinet colleagues.
Ntshavheni was addressing the media on Wednesday during a post-Cabinet briefing in Parliament, where she clarified Cabinet’s position on the bill aimed at finding a new funding model for the SABC.
She said for the SABC Bill to be withdrawn, it had to go through Cabinet because it was not a private member's bill.
READ: Malatsi had no authority to withdraw SABC Bill - Ntshavheni
Ntshavheni said whatever limitations or problems were identified in the bill, it must first come to Cabinet.
"Minister Malatsi did not come to Cabinet for that, so we will assume he did not know the process," said Ntshavheni.
She said there won’t be any further action, and the matter would come before Cabinet next week.
"Ministers in Cabinet, we correct and engage each other. Wrapping over the knuckles is not our business," she added.
The portfolio committee said this week that failure to reintroduce the bill would leave them with no option but to entertain introducing a committee or private member's bills in the best interest of the SABC.