SABC wants R6.8bn, but Tito Mboweni suggests it stay away from Treasury
The finance minister wants the SABC to restructure its operations, merge ‘duplicated’ radio stations and sell off some of its assets
On Wednesday, finance minister Tito Mboweni suggested that the cash strapped SABC should seriously consider restructuring its operations, including merging radio stations and selling off some of its assets. During a media briefing in parliament before delivering his budget speech, Mboweni revealed that the broke public broadcaster has requested R6.8bn from government. Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane is still engaged in talks with SABC executives, said Mboweni. The broadcaster had previously requested a R3bn government guarantee to stay afloat. “But if you grant the request, the money will have to come from somewhere, from another budget allocation … whatever we give them we should agree on a chief restructuring officer [to be deployed] to Auckland Park [SABC headquarters].” The minister said deploying a chief restructuring officer was akin to placing the institution under curatorship. “My advice to the SABC is to stay far away from National Treasury. But we will find a way ...
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