SABC Bill cannot become a political football between GNU partners - Diko

CAPE TOWN - The battle between the executive and Parliament over the SABC Bill looks set to become the next political tussle that Government of National Unity (GNU) partners will have to grapple with in the new year. 

Parliament's communications chairperson, Khusela Diko, said that as far as she's concerned the bill was still before the House for input and consideration. 

But Communications Minister Solly Malatsi said that he was still waiting for Speaker Thoko Didiza to act on his instruction to withdraw it.

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Malatsi believes the bill is flawed and doesn't achieve its aim of producing a new funding model for the perennially cash-strapped public broadcaster.

As Parliament was wrapping up its business for the year in December, Deputy President Paul Mashatile issued a directive that ministers can't withdraw legislation approved by Cabinet and put before the House without his prior consent.

However, the National Assembly's house rules stipulate that a minister has the prerogative to withdraw a bill after it's been tabled.

Diko said that while the committee appreciated Minister Malatsi's concerns, it was not necessary to withdraw the bill completely.

"The committee has full authority to make amendments where amendments are required and we are in the process of doing that."

Diko said that the SABC urgently needed this bill and it could not become a political football between GNU partners.

"We are trusting that the minister, now that he has been clarified as relates to his authority to unilaterally withdraw a bill, we will be able to continue with that process unhindered."

To date, the Speaker has not given official notice that the bill has been withdrawn.

Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, said that Didiza was still to respond to Malatsi’s latest letter received in December. 

"The Speaker will respond to this latest communication in accordance with established parliamentary rule, procedures and protocols governing Parliament-Executive communications," said Mothapo.