Bill to reform SABC's funding model urgent, says Parly's communications committee

JOHANNESBURG - Chairperson of Parliament’s communications committee Khusela Diko says a bill to reform the funding model of the public broadcaster is urgent and the parliamentary process must continue. 

Last week, a meeting to consider the public submissions on the bill was postponed to allow Communications Minister Solly Malatsi to consult with the deputy president and the National Assembly speaker over his instruction to withdraw the bill. 

Diko said she believes Malatsi’s concerns around the bill, can still be ironed out in the parliamentary consultation process.

Malatsi has been in an impasse with parliament since last year over the SABC Bill, saying he doesn’t believe it will solve the broadcaster’s funding woes. 

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

Malatsi said he’s following parliamentary rules by requesting the withdrawal but in an advisory note last year, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said he doesn’t have that power, and speaker Thoko Didiza has not acted on Malatsi’s instruction. 

Diko said it’s her understanding that the three of them have since met, and until an outcome is announced, she expects the committee to consider public submissions on the bill. 

"As the minister puts forward his reasons, he will also speak to why the issues he has with the bill cannot be amended by parliament. But we will respect any decision that’s taken."

Diko said withdrawing the bill would be to the SABC’s detriment. 

“This bill is urgent, and I think that the reforms the SABC require really cannot wait for another year or so while the executive is looking to withdraw and then bring back a bill into the parliamentary process.”

Malatsi is yet to indicate his next course of action.