Diko: Malatsi can't stop communications committee from processing SABC Bill
Khusela Diko said that the committee would continue processing the contentious bill despite its withdrawal by Malatsi, who has raised questions over the lack of a funding model provided for in the bill.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko. Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - Communications and digital technologies committee chairperson, Khusela Diko, said that Minister Solly Malatsi can't stop them from processing the SABC Bill.
She said that the committee would continue processing the contentious bill despite its withdrawal by Malatsi, who has raised questions over the lack of a funding model provided for in the bill.
Diko was taking part in an economic cluster briefing in Parliament on Thursday, addressing issues affecting her portfolio.
Minister Malatsi said earlier that he stood by his withdrawal and was just awaiting confirmation from Speaker Thoko Didiza in Parliament's ATC.
But Diko said that the committee was moving ahead and wanted to be done by June.
"So while we have noted the minister’s opposition to two sections of the almost 30 sections of the bill, the committee will proceed with processing the bill."
She also reminded those in attendance that the Democratic Alliance (DA) in its own submission had stressed that the executive’s role was oversight and not governance.
"Having the minister develop the SABC’s funding model would violate this."
Diko said the issues raised by Malatsi were not "insurmountable" and may be resolved during the amendment process by the committee.