SABC retrenchment letters premature, says Parliament
Parliament’s Communication Portfolio Committee has told executives of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that the release of retrenchment notices was premature.
The SABC board appeared before the Committee on Wednesday to discuss matters, including the looming retrenchments at the public broadcaster.
Committee chairperson, Boyce Maneli, says the committee is supportive of the turnaround strategies and plans implemented by the broadcaster thus far.
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"Firstly, we should understand that we do appreciate the work that is being done - as demonstrated in the plan - you have many greens in terms of what has been done in terms of your turn around strategy.
"The committee is still in support of that. And there's no confusion in terms that the bailout had preconditions that you needed to meet and those are linked to the turnaround strategy," said Maneli.
However, he added that last week’s sudden notice of retrenchments only caused panic and uncertainty.
"You'd understand what members are saying is that your page 19 of your report is showing red in your processes that relates to your HR because a number of those is subject to the consultation process.
"Of course with a great deal of respect, in our view, the letter was prematurely written out whilst you are engaged in the process.
"Because then if you write to everybody you are sending panic to everyone and uncertainty, that on its own may bring instability," he added.
Maneli told the SABC Board that the consultation process needs to remain in good faith which is why it is important to proper manage any communication in this regard.