SABC Bill has in fact not been withdrawn: Mashatile

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his role as leader of government business, has written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to inform her that the SABC Bill has, in fact, not been withdrawn.

Early in November, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi withdrew the bill, citing the need for a credible funding model for the public broadcaster, which he said the bill does not adequately address. During the post-cabinet briefing to the media today, the status of this bill was questioned.

Video: Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s NCOP Oral Question Session

Malatsi said the bill did not meet the urgency required to stabilize the public broadcaster. He was also concerned about the powers that would be granted to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies if the bill is passed in its current form.

At the time, the Communications and Digital Technologies Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Khusela Diko, criticized this move saying it would delay the implementation of the reforms needed at the public broadcaster. This week, Cabinet was briefed on the matter.

“The bill is an executive bill, and the leader of government business has written to the Speaker to indicate that the bill has not been withdrawn and Minister Malatsi has been advised that if he wants to withdraw the bill, he must make a submission and Cabinet has accepted that there was no malice by the minister. It’s part of the standard protocol that new ministers will get used to how Cabinet operates,” said Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo  Ntshavheni.

Video: Post-Cabinet media briefing

Ntshavheni also faced questions about the recent cabinet reshuffle.

“The appointment, disappointment, and removal and shifting and movement of ministers is the sole prerogative of the President. And I can’t provide answers. It’s not Cabinet’s answers. We don’t discuss, you are either called and informed, and that’s the discussion between the minister and the President.”

Ntshavheni also warned South Africans who are colluding with foreign nationals in the registration of spaza shops and food handling facilities.

“If you are going to be used by a foreign national who is illegal in the country, to register a spaza shop, you should know we are going to come for you.”

Cabinet welcomed the announcement by Saudi Arabia to invest over R9 billion to build a platinum smelter and metals refinery in Limpopo. It also noted South African Airways’ progress towards sustainability.

Various projects around the country, to ensure water security, were also raised during the Cabinet briefing. These include bulk water supply projects, the construction of pipelines and pumping stations, and the upgrading of water treatment works countrywide.