Malatsi announced his decision to withdraw the SABC Bill in November but has since received pushback from other government officials.
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi. Picture: Gallo Images/|BeeldDeaan Vivier
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has accused National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza of stalling the process of withdrawing the SABC Bill.“If the minister writes to the Speaker to say withdraw this bill… there is no other option for the Speaker to do any other thing,” said Malatsi.Here’s how Western Cape’s R1.2 billion IT tender was riddled with irregularities
At the time, Malatsi, who is a DA minister, said the Bill failed to address the urgency required to stabilise the SABC.The Bill has received criticism from political parties, civil society organisations and broadcasters. The main concerns centred around the Bill not addressing problematic funding issues for the SABC and it granting the minister increased control over board appointments.that he was told by Didiza to take the withdrawal of the SABC Bill to the portfolio committee.
“It’s very clear that there is stalling from the Speaker’s office to withdraw the bill, which is extraordinary because that would be in violation of the very same rules she’s supposed to uphold, it would be unprecedented,” Malatsi said.Malatsi’s decision was slammed by both Deputy Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.“The SABC Bill is not a private member’s bill, it’s not Mr Malatsi’s bill.
“It’s a bill of Cabinet and the executive. So, in the law, he cannot withdraw it without coming to Cabinet to agree to its withdrawal,” she said.Cabinet has recently passed a resolution from Deputy President Paul Mashatile that prevents ministers from being able to withdraw Bills unilaterally.“The deputy president only communicated after I communicated with the Speaker so you can’t retrospectively enforce things simply because you were overtaken by events.
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