According to media reports, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is investigating reports that programming officials in the past requested bribes from production companies in order to secure contracts.
This comes after various producers submitted complaints to SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe, head of forensic Thami Zikode, and director of human capital Mojaki Mosia.
BMA understands that a whistle-blower alleged that certain officials were giving contracts to undeserving family members, friends, and associate producers, regardless of the quality of their content.
Earlier this year, the SABC reported that diminishing audience numbers had caused its ad revenue to plummet by over US$3,2 million.
The SABC said this was the most significant revenue loss it has suffered. However, Ian Plaatjes, SABC COO, informed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts that the decline is in line with global trends.
Plaatjes said, “The decline in viewers is multi-causational and is a global trend, and there is not much that can be done about that.”
Also commenting, Yolanda van Biljon, the SABC’s CFO, said that viewers’ shifting to online platforms was one of the aspects driving the revenue decline.
Van Biljon also added that the SABC was changing its priorities to ensure that it generates advertising revenue from digital platforms.
