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SOS:SupportPublicBroadcastingCoalitionSubmissionontheParliamentaryAdHocCommittee’sInterimReportontheSABC

16February2017

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16February2017MrVincentSmith,MPChairpersonAdHocCommitteeontheSABCBoardInquiryViaemail:[email protected]:SUPPORTPUBLICBROADCASTINGCOALITION’SSUBMISSIONONTHESABCBOARDINQUIRYINTERIMREPORTSOS:SupportPublicBroadcastingCoalition(“SOS”)wouldliketothanktheAdHocCommitteeforthisopportunitytomakeaninputonyourInterimReportandtocommendtheCommitteeforitssterlingworkthusfar.WehopeyourFinalReportwillbeapositiveturningpointinthefortunesoftheSouthAfricanBroadcastingCorporation(SABC)afteryearsoffailedleadership,mismanagementandallegedcorruption.InordertoassisttheCommitteeinexpeditingitswork,wehavemadeourinputintheformofrecommendations thatmaybe included in your Final Report. SOShas alsodraftedproposedamendmentstotheBroadcastingAct,theCompaniesActandtheConstitutionoftheRepublicofSouthAfricaActinordertogiveeffecttotheserecommendations.WeremainavailabletodealwithanyqueriesyoumayhavewithregardtotheSOSsubmissionandrelatedmatters.YoursSincerelyDUDUETSANGMAKUSENationalCoordinatorSOS:SupportPublicBroadcastingCoalition+27 60 911 5889 [email protected]

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SOS:SUPPORTPUBLICBROADCASTINGCOALITION

SUBMISSIONON

THEPARLIAMENTARYADHOCCOMMITTEE’SINTERIMREPORTRE:THEINQUIRYINTOTHE

SABCBOARDSOS:SupportPublicBroadcastingCoalitionhasdraftedrecommendationstobeincludedintheAdHocCommittee’sFinalReportontheSABCBoard.WehavealsoappendedunderSchedule1consequentialamendmentstotheBroadcastingAct(No.4of1999),theCompaniesAct(No.71of2008)andtheConstitutionoftheRepublicofSouthAfricaAct(No.108of1996).RECOMMENDATIONS1. THEDISSOLUTIONOFTHESABCBOARD1.1 TheSABCBoardshouldbedissolvedintermsofsubsections15A(1)band15(A)(2)(c)of

theBroadcastingAct.

1.2 AnInterimBoardshouldurgentlybeappointedintermsofsubsection15A(3)(a)oftheBroadcastingAct,properlytakingintoaccountthequalificationsandexpertisesetoutinsection13(4)ofthatAct.

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2. URGENTACTIONSBYTHEINTERIMBOARD

ParliamentherebyrecommendsthatthefollowingurgentactionsmustbetakenbytheInterimBoard:

2.1 CorporateGovernanceandtheImplementationofRemedialActions

2.1.1 the implementationof thePublicProtector’s2014 report“WhenGovernanceand

EthicsFail”,relatedremedialactionsandsubsequentrelatedcourtjudgementsinfull;

2.1.2 aninvestigationintoallirregular,fruitlessandwastefulexpenditurebytheSABCasidentified by the Auditor-General in the 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 financialyears;

2.1.3 theimplementationofrecommendationsofNationalTreasuryandthe2013reportof

theSpecialInvestigationUnit(SIU);

2.1.4 action must be taken against all employees and/or former Board members andmanagementwhoincurredorpermittedirregular,fruitlessandwastefulexpenditure;

2.1.5 action must be taken to recover irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in

instanceswhereitcanberecoveredfromimplicatedboardmembers,management,employeesandthirdparties;

2.1.6 implementdisciplinaryproceedingsagainsttheActingGCEO,MrJamesAgumaforhis

alleged role in the significant financial losses and irregular, fruitless and wastefulexpenditureincurredbytheSABCinthelastfinancialyear;

2.1.7 demonstrable stepsmust be taken to ensure compliance with existing legislation

includinginter-aliathePublicFinanceManagementActandproceduresandprocesswith regard to contract management, financial management, supply chainmanagementandhumanresourcemanagement;

2.1.8 takestepstorecovercostsfromMrMotsoenenginhispersonalcapacityspecifically

incurred indefenceof theappointmentofMrMotsoeneng inall therelatedcourtactions;

2.1.9 take steps to recover all costs from Professor Maghuve in his personal capacity

specifically incurredasa resultof thecourt challengeby thepreviousSABCBoardChairpersonagainstParliament;

2.1.10 reconsidertheSABC’sparticipation inall litigationrelatedtotheremovalofBoard

members,theMOIandthe(re-)appointmentofMrMotsoeneng,withaviewtoeitherwithdrawingfromsuch litigationordecidingtoabidebythedecisionsofthecourtwhereapplicable;

2.1.11 theCompanySecretarymustfulfilalldutiesasstipulatedintherelevantlegislation;


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2.1.12 reporting lines of the administrative staff of the SABCmust be reviewedwith the

intendedaimofstrengtheningcorporativegovernance;

2.1.13 the establishment of Board sub-committees must be in compliance with theCompaniesActandinkeepingwithrelevantcorporategovernancecodes;

2.1.14 thecommercialandpolicyimplicationsofMrMotsoeneng’sunilateralimpositionof

a90%localcontentquotamustbeinvestigatedwithaparticularfocusonhowthisdecisionhasimpactedontheSABC’ssustainability.

2.2 TheMultichoiceAgreement

2.2.1 Noting:

2.2.1.1 theSABCarchivesareapublicasset;

2.2.1.2 thatasignificantsectionofthecountry’spopulationdoesnothaveaccesstoDSTV,

andthereforecannotviewthearchivalmaterialairedonSABCEncoreandSABCNews;

2.2.1.3 thatthis isparticularlyproblematic in lightoftheSABC’spublicmandatewhichseeks to ensure programming is widely available and accessible especially topreviouslydisadvantagedandmarginalizedaudiencesandgroupings;

2.2.1.4 thattheSABC’ssuddenaboutturnwithregardstoset-topboxencryptionappearsto have been the result of conditions imposed by theMultichoice agreement,givingacompetitora significant roleandcontrolover the formulationofSABCpolicyandstrategy;

2.2.1.5 thatthebestcontentfromthearchiveshasalreadybeenreservedforexclusivebroadcastontheEncorechannelontheDSTVbouquet;and

2.2.1.6 thatthereappearstobeinsufficientdisclosureandtransparencyinthemannerinwhichtheMultichoiceagreementwasnegotiatedand, furthermore,theway inwhich the contract was crafted appears to have serious legal implications inrespectofaccesstopublicinformation;


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2.2.2 AforensicandlegalauditmustbeconductedinrelationtotheMultichoiceagreementinordertoestablish:

2.2.2.1 whethertherewascompliancewiththerelevantprovisionsofthePublicFinanceManagement Act and section 217 of the Constitution in licensing the SABCarchives;

2.2.2.2 whethertherewascompliancewiththerelevantprovisionsofthePublicFinanceManagement Act and section 217 of the Constitution in licensing the SABCarchives;

2.2.2.3 whether therewascompliancewiththerelevantprovisionsof theCompetitionAct, which matter is currently also being investigated by the CompetitionCommission.TheinvestigationshouldassesswhethertheagreementgivesrisetoanotifiablemergerintermsoftheCompetitionAct;

2.2.2.4 whether the agreement contravened the provisions of section 8(j) of theBroadcasting Act (requiring the SABC to establish and maintain libraries andarchivesandtomaketheseavailabletothepublicwithorwithoutcharge);

2.2.2.5 whether the agreement was ever formally approved by the SABC board orwhetheritwasconcludedbyMrMotsoenengwithouttherequisitemandate;

2.2.2.6 whethertheSABCboard’sdecisiontosupportencryptionintheroll-outofset-topboxeswaseverformallyreversedbytheSABCboard;

2.2.2.7 andwhetheranypersonorpersonsassociatedwiththeSABChaveenjoyedanymonetary benefit from theMultichoice agreement,whether through disclosedpaymentsofbonusesorotherremuneration,orthroughundisclosedincentivesorgratification.

2.2.2.8 whytheSABC’s24-hournewschannelisincludedaspartoftheSABCDTTchannelsbuttheEncoreChannelisonlyavailableontheDSTVplatform.

2.3 HumanResourcesandProcurement

2.3.1 Allvacant,criticalseniormanagementpositionsmustbefilledassoonasispossible,

following due process, including that of GCEO, GCOO and Company Secretary inparticular;

2.3.2 Theestablished,fair,transparentandapprovedcommissioningproceduresthatwere

floutedandignoredbyMrMotsoenengandothersmustbereinstatedinconsultationwiththeindependentproductionindustry,includingthereinstitutionoftherequestforproposalsbookand immediateapplicationoftheSABC’s formalcommissioningprotocolsinrespectofallcommissions;


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2.3.3 The following alleged human resource and procurement policy breachesmust beinvestigated:

2.3.3.1 allirregularappointments,dismissals,suspensions,goldenhandshakes,bonuses

andcommercialagreementsduringthetimeMrMotsoenengwasGCOOand/orActingGCOO;

2.3.3.2 ingeneral,InvestigatehumanresourcepracticesattheSABC;and

2.3.3.3 newpoliciesaroundtheextendingofcontractstofreelancers.

2.4 EditorialPoliciesandCensorship

Affirming that theSABC,as thepublicbroadcaster,mustatall timeadhere to thehighest standards of journalism and editorial independence, the followingrecommendationsmustbeimplemented:

2.4.1 the SABC’s editorial independence must be re-established in terms of a Board-

approved,publishedplanwithtimeframesandresponsibilities;

2.4.2 allcorrectiveactionsandICASAdecisionsrelatingtocensorshipandeditorialpoliciesmustbecompliedwithandproofofsuchcomplianceshallbesubmittedtoICASAandmadepublicallyavailableontheSABC’swebsite;

2.4.3 inparticular,theSABC’scurrentEditorialPoliciesmustbewithdrawnandanewpublic

commentandparticipationprocessmustbe initiated in linewith theBroadcastingAct, inordertoproducenew, legitimateEditorialPolicies:ProvidedthattheBoardshallensure,intheformulationofthenewEditorialPolicies,thattheSouthAfricanNationalEditors’Forum(SANEF)andthePressCouncilofSouthAfricaareproperlyconsulted;

2.4.4 stepsmustbetakentoensureregulatorycompliancewithallICASA’sregulationsand

specificallywiththelicenceconditionsofeachandeverySABCbroadcastingservice;and

2.4.5 stepsmust be taken andmadepublic to ensure that the SABC’s audience regains

confidencethatthepublicbroadcasters’publicinterestinformation,entertainmentprogrammesandeducationalprogramsarecredibleandreliable.


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2.5 TheSABC8

NotingtheevidencetopresentedtotheAdHoccommittee’s inquiryof journalistswho became known as the “SABC 8” and recognizing the death threats, physicalviolenceandsystematictargetingagainsttheSABC8andotherSABCjournalists:

2.5.1 steps must be taken and made public to ensure that an environment free of

intimidationorabuseofpowermustprevailatalltimeatthepublicbroadcasterandanyevidenceofdeaththreats,violenceandtargetingmustbeurgentlyhandedovertotheSAPSandrelevantauthorities;

2.5.2 theirregulardisciplinaryprocessesandactionsagainsttheSABC8mustbeterminated

and/orwithdrawn.

2.6 TheVisionViewandNewAgeagreements

TheremustbeaninvestigationintotheVisionViewandNewAgeagreementsandinparticular a focus on whether there are grounds to terminate such agreementsand/or recover any funds allegedly gained by these parties through irregular andprejudicialmeans.

2.7 InterimBoardtoAccounttoParliament

2.7.1 Within two months of its appointment, the Interim Board shall report to the

ParliamentaryPortfolioCommitteeonCommunicationsinwritingregardingprogressonalltherequiredactionssetoutinparagraphs2.1to2.6above.

2.7.2 FailurebytheSABCInterimBoardand/orsuccessiveboardsthereaftertocomplyor

commencecompliancewiththerecommendationsofthisCommitteemay,intermsof section15A(1)(b)of theBroadcastingAct,be regardedasa failureby theSABCBoardto:

(i) dischargeitsfiduciaryduties;(ii) adheretotheCharter;and(iii) carryoutitsdutiesascontemplatedinsection13(11)ofthatAct.

3. AmendmentoftheBroadcastingAct,theCompaniesAct,theSABC’sMemorandumofIncorporation(MOI)andtheConstitution

Overview

3.1 ParliamentmustfasttrackamendmentstotheBroadcastingActandtheCompaniesAct to ensure the supremacy of the Broadcasting Act over all other legislationgoverningtheoperationoftheSABC.


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3.2 TheExecutiveandParliamentmustclarifythattheBroadcastingActtakesprecedenceover the Companies Act in relation to the appointment and dismissal of Boardmembersandmustremoveanyconfusionwithregardtooverlapsbetweenthetwopiecesoflegislation.

3.3 The appointment and removal of the SABC Board or its members must be in

compliancewiththeBroadcastingActwithinvolvementofParliament.3.4 TheroleandresponsibilityoftheShareholderrepresentativeneedtobeclarifiedto

ensurethatthereisnoundueencroachmentintothedailyoperationsoftheSABCorundueencroachmentintotheresponsibilitiesofSABCBoard.

3.5 The MOI and the Shareholder compact must be amended and aligned with the

principallegislationthatgovernstheoperationsoftheSABC.3.6 The Shareholder’s involvementmust be regulated so as to ensure that there is no

undueencroachmentinmattersnormallyreservedfortheSABCBoard.3.7 TheExecutiveandParliamentneedtoconsiderlegislativeamendmentswithregardto

themanagementandcustodianshipofSABCarchivesandlibrarieswhichisinlinewiththeBroadcastingAct.

3.8 The Portfolio Committee on Communications must ensure that the legislative

frameworkgoverningtheoperationsoftheSABCisfinalisedurgently.

AmendmentstotheBroadcastingAct

3.9 PoliticalinterferencehasplaguedtheappointmentsoftheExecutivemembersoftheBoardoftheSABCforoveradecadeduetoalacunaintheBroadcastingAct.ItdoesnotspecifywhoisresponsiblefortheappointmentoftheExecutiveMembersoftheSABCBoard,namely,theGCEO,GCFOandGCOO.

3.10 If the Board is to bear accountability for the SABC, itmust be responsible for the

appointmentoftheseniormanagementoftheSABC.Therecannotbeaccountabilityby theSABCBoard if theBoard ishamstrung in theappointmentof theexecutivesrunningtheSABC.Theseproblemswillpersistunlessthelacunaisaddressurgently.(SeeproposedlegislativeamendmentsunderSchedule1below)

AmendmentstotheCompaniesAct

3.11 Politicalinterferencehasplaguedtheremovalofnon-executivemembersoftheBoardof the SABC in recent years due to an interpretation that the provisions of theCompaniesActtakeprecedenceovertheBroadcastingAct.


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3.12 Given thedetailedprovisionsof theBroadcastingAct regarding the removalofnon-executivemembersoftheSABCBoard,itisimperativethatthesearetotakeprecedenceovertherelevantprovisionsoftheCompaniesActwhichessentiallyentitleaBoardtoremoveoneofitsownmembers.ThreemembersofthepreviousSABCBoardhavebeenremoved in this fashion and these removals which occur outside of the processesstipulatedforBoardmembersintheBroadcastingActwillpersistinoccurringunlessanamendment to the Companies Act is made urgently. (See proposed legislativeamendmentsunderSchedule1below)

ConstitutionalAmendments

3.13 It is clear that the SABC has long suffered from an unacceptable level of politicalinterference in itsoperations.The interferencehasunderminedtheBoard,executivemanagementandthishasresulted inunlawfulcontentdecisions,suchasbanonthebroadcastofvideofootageofviolenceprotests.

3.14 Chapter9oftheConstitutionshouldbeamendedtoincludethepublicbroadcaster,the

SABC,asaChapter9body.3.15 Itisclearthatthecurrentstatutoryregimeisinsufficienttoprotecttheinterestsofthe

SouthAfricanpublic.ConsequentlytheSABCshouldbetransformedintoaChapter9institutionasawayofprotectingthepublicbroadcaster’sindependence.

3.16 Chapter9oftheConstitutionprovidesforanumberofstateinstitutionsthatsupport

constitutionaldemocracy,including,thePublicProtectorandtheSouthAfricanHumanRightsCommission. These institutions aredirectly answerable toParliament and theConstitution specifically protects the appointments and removals of Chapter 9institutions’governingbodiesfrompoliticalandotherinterference.

3.17 BeingaChapter9bodydoesnotinsulateaninstitutionfromsufferingfromineffectual

leadership,institutionalineffectivenessandinstitutionalweaknessesarisingoutof,forexample,aflawedcorporatestructure.

3.18 However, themoreactiveParliamentaryoversightrolethat is thrustuponChapter9

bodieswouldimprovetheSABC’sresponsivenessandaccountability.ppublic.3.19 IncludingtheSABCasaChapter9bodyiscriticalinorderto:

3.19.1 transformthepublicbroadcasterintoagenuinemeansofempoweringcitizens;

and

3.19.2 ensurethatthepublicbroadcasteriscommittedtothebroaderpublicinterest.

(SeeproposedConstitutionalamendmentsunderSchedule1below)


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4. AmendmentstotheSABC’sMemorandumofIncorporation(MOI)

4.1 ParliamentmustoverseethattheMinisterofCommunicationsproperlyalignstheMOItotheBroadcastingAct.

4.2 TheMOI is theSABC’s keydocument for corporategovernanceand is formulated in

termsoftheCompaniesAct.Itwasrecentlyamended/replacedin2014andcertainofitsprovisionsareextremelyproblematicastheyarecontrarytotheprovisionsoftheBroadcastingActandeventheConstitution.

4.3 Parliamentmustensurethatthefollowingamendmentsareurgentlyimplementedby

theMinisterofCommunicationstotheSABC’sMOI:

4.3.1 Clause5oftheMOI,whichprovidesfortheunlawfulinvolvementoftheMinisterofCommunicationsinapprovingrulesestablishedbytheBoardascontemplatedintheCompaniesAct,istobeamendedtoremoveanyreferencetotheMinisterofCommunications.

4.3.2 Clause 11.3 of the MOI is ultra vires the provisions of section 14(1) of the

BroadcastingActandrequirestobeamendedtobringitintoconformitywiththeBroadcastingAct.

4.3.3 Thewholeofclause13oftheMOI,whichprovidesfortheunlawfulinvolvement

of the Minister of Communications in the process of selecting the executivemembersoftheSABCBoard,settingcontractualtermsthereforandinvolvementinmanagingtheperformancethereof,istobeamendedtoremoveanyreferencetotheMinisterofCommunications.

4.3.4 Clause14.3.1.3oftheMOI,whichprovidesfortheunlawfulinvolvementofthe

MinisterofCommunicationsinrecommendingtheremovalofBoardmembers,istobeamendedtoremoveanyreferencetotheMinisterofCommunications.

4.3.5 Clauses15.1and15.3oftheMOI,whichprovidesfortheunlawfulinvolvementof

theMinister of Communications in approving Boardmeetings or calling Boardmeetings, respectively, are to be amended to remove any reference to theMinisterofCommunications.


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5. Accountability,PoliticalInterferenceandParliamentaryOversight

5.1 Witnesses foundguiltyofprovidingmisleadingor false informationor testimonyto

Parliamentwhilstunderoathmustbeidentifiedandtheappropriatesanctionsmustbeimplemented.

5.2 TheSABCisthePublicBroadcasterandthereforetheBoardmustbeheldaccountable

byParliamentnotwithstandingthefactthattheSABCisonlypartlyfundedfromthenationalfiscus.

5.3 Parliament, in the process of exercising oversight, must insist that no information

should be withheld from Parliament, including potentially commercially sensitiveinformation.

5.4 ThePortfolioCommitteeonCommunicationsmustensurethatthequarterlyreporting

by theSABC includes themonitoringofcorrectiveactionswith regard tocorporategovernance,financialmanagementandhumanresourcepolicycompliance.

5.5 AllpoliticalinterferenceintheSABCBoard’soperationsmustbecondemnedandany

suchinterferencemustbeattendedtoandexposedimmediatelytheSABCBoardandParliament.

5.6 ThePortfolio CommitteeonCommunicationsmust play a greater oversight role to

ensurethatthereisclearseparationofpowersbetween(i)theShareholderandSABCensuringthattheShareholderisnotinvolvedinthedaytodayoperationsoftheSABCaswellasinappropriateinterferencewiththedutiesoftheSABCBoard;andaclearseparationbetween(ii)theBoardandtheoperationsattheSABC.

5.7 All potentialmisleading or contradictory evidence relating to SABC Boardminutes,

commercially sensitive documentation not provided, costs incurred by the SABC inhostingtheTNAbreakfastshowandtheappointmentofaserviceprovider/publicistfortheGCEOmustbefurtherinvestigatedbytheSABCInterimBoardandParliamentandsanctionsmustbeappliedwhereproofofperjuryisproven.


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SCHEDULE1

PROPOSEDIMMEDIATEAMENDMENTSTOLEGISLATION

AMENDMENTSTOTHEBROADCASTINGACTSection13(1)oftheBroadcastingActbeamendedasfollows:(Note,wordsinboldtypeinsquarebrackets [ ] indicate omissions from existing provisions. Words underlined with a solid lineindicateinsertionsinexistingenactments):“13(1). The twelve non-executive members of the Board must be appointed by the

President on the Advice of the National Assembly and the three executivemembers of the Boardmust be appointed by amajority of the non-executivemembersoftheBoard.”

Thisamendmentwillrequireaconsequentialamendmenttothedefinitionof“appointingbodyinsection1oftheBroadcastingAct,asfollows:“Appointingbody”meanseitherof the [body] bodies, as the casemaybe, chargedwith theappointmentofmembersoftheBoardintermsofsection13ofthethisAct.”PROPOSEDAMENDMENTSTOTHECOMPANIESACTConsequently,SOSrecommendsthatsection5(4)(b)(i)oftheCompaniesActbeamendedbytheinclusionofanewsub-section(jj)asfollows:(Note,words inboldtype insquarebrackets[]indicateomissionsfromexistingprovisions.Wordsunderlinedwithasolidlineindicateinsertionsinexistingenactments):

(i) Anyapplicableprovisionofthe–(aa)AuditingProfessionAct;(bb)LabourRelationsAct,1995(ActNo.66of1995);(cc)PromotionofAccesstoInformationAct,2000(ActNo.2of2000);(dd)PromotionofAdministrativeJusticeAct,2000(ActNo.3of2000);(ee)PublicFinanceManagementAct,1999(ActNo.1of1999);(ff)FinancialMarketsAct,2012;(gg)BanksAct;(hh)LocalGovernment:MunicipalFinanceManagementAct,(Act56of2003);[or](ii)Section8oftheNationalPaymentSystemAct,1998(ActNo.78of1998)[.]or(jj)BroadcastingAct,1999(ActNo.4of1999),prevail in thecaseofan inconsistency involvinganyof them,except to theextentprovidedotherwiseinsection49(4);or”


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PROPOSEDAMENDMENTSTOCHAPTER9OFTHECONSTITUTION

Theproposedamendmentstoorinsertionsinrespectofsections:181(1),192,192A,193and194oftheConstitution,allofwhicharecontainedwithinChapter9oftheConstitution,inthemannerofaBill,thatis:Wordsinboldtypeinsquarebrackets[]indicateomissionsfromexistingprovisionsWordsunderlinedwithasolidlineindicateinsertionsinexistingenactments.ProposedAmendmentstoSection181(1)oftheConstitution:

”EstablishmentandGoverningPrinciples181.Establishmentandgoverningprinciples.-(1)ThefollowingstateinstitutionsstrengthenconstitutionaldemocracyintheRepublic:(a)ThePublicProtector.(b)TheSouthAfricanHumanRightsCommission.(c)TheCommissionforthePromotionandProtectionoftheRightsofCultural,ReligiousandLinguisticCommunities.(d)TheCommissionforGenderEquality.(e)TheAuditor-General.(f)TheElectoralCommission.(g)ThePublicBroadcaster.”

ProposedInsertionofSection192AoftheConstitution:

“PublicBroadcaster192A.PublicBroadcaster.–Nationallegislationmustestablishanindependentnationalpublic broadcaster to provide broadcasting services in the public interest and inaccordancewithitsnationalpublicbroadcastingmandatesetoutinsuchlegislation.”

ProposedAmendmentstoSection193oftheConstitution:“193Appointments.-(1)ThePublicProtector,[and]themembersofanyCommissionandthenon-ExecutiveBoardmembersofthePublicBroadcasterestablishedbythisChaptermustbewomenandmenwho-(a)areSouthAfricancitizens;(b)andproperpersonstoholdtheparticularoffice;and(c)complywithanyotherrequirementsprescribedbynationallegislation.(2)TheneedforaCommissionandthePublicBroadcasterestablishedbythisChaptertoreflect broadly the raceand gender composition of SouthAfricamust be consideredwhenmembersareappointed.(3)TheAuditor-GeneralmustbeawomanoramanwhoisaSouthAfricancitizenandafit andproperperson tohold thatoffice. Specialisedknowledgeof,orexperience in,auditing,statefinancesandpublicadministrationmustbegivendueregardinappointingtheAuditor-General.


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(4)ThePresident,ontherecommendationoftheNationalAssembly,mustappoint:(a)thePublicProtector,theAuditor-Generalandthemembersof-

(i)theSouthAfricanHumanRightsCommission;(ii)theCommissionforGenderEquality;(iii)theElectoralCommission[.];and

(b)thenon-executivemembersoftheBoardofthePublicBroadcaster.(5)TheNationalAssemblymustrecommendpersons-(a)nominatedbyacommitteeoftheAssemblyproportionallycomposedofmembersofallpartiesrepresentedintheAssembly;and(b)approvedbytheAssemblybyaresolutionadoptedwithasupportingvote-

(i)ofatleast60percentofthemembersoftheAssembly,iftherecommendationconcernstheappointmentofthePublicProtectorortheAuditor-General;or(ii)ofamajorityofthemembersoftheAssembly,iftherecommendationconcernsthe appointment of a member of a Commission or of a non-executive BoardmemberofthePublicBroadcaster.

(6)Theinvolvementofcivilsocietyintherecommendationprocessmaybeprovidedforasenvisagedinsection59(1)(a).”

ProposedAmendmentstoSection194oftheConstitution:

“194.Removalfromoffice.-(I)ThePublicProtector,theAuditor-General,[or]amemberofaCommissionoranon-executiveBoardmemberofthePublicBroadcasterestablishedbythisChaptermayberemovedfromofficeonlyon-(a)thegroundofmisconduct,incapacityorincompetence;(b)afindingtothateffectbyacommitteeoftheNationalAssembly;and(c)theadoptionbytheAssemblyofaresolutioncallingforthatperson’sremovalfromoffice.(2)AresolutionoftheNationalAssemblyconcerningtheremovalfromofficeof-(a)thePublicProtectorortheAuditor-GeneralmustbeadoptedwithasupportingvoteofatleasttwothirdsofthemembersoftheAssembly;or(b) a member of a Commission or a non-executive Board member of the PublicBroadcastermustbeadoptedwithasupportingvoteofamajorityofthemembersoftheAssembly.(3)ThePresident-(a)maysuspendapersonfromofficeatanytimeafterthestartoftheproceedingsofacommitteeoftheNationalAssemblyfortheremovalofthatperson;and(b)mustremoveapersonfromofficeuponadoptionbytheAssemblyoftheresolutioncallingforthatperson’sremoval.”

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