SABC's Gupta-linked deal under parliamentary scrutiny

The SABC’s relationship with ANN7, the Gupta-owned TV station, has come under intense scrutiny in Parliament, with evidence surfacing that the cash-strapped public broadcaster paid up to R1m for an episode of the TNA/Morning Live breakfast shows, says a Business Day report. The ad hoc committee probing the crisis at the SABC went through various responses to its draft report yesterday. In his response, former SABC acting CEO Phil Molefe corroborated evidence that the public broadcaster footed the costs associated with the controversial breakfast briefings. Molefe said in his submission that the shows came at a huge cost to the SABC, with technical equipment for one production costing R1m or more. The SABC also covered flights, accommodation and food for production staff when the briefings took place outside Johannesburg. While the SABC carried the costs, the TNA media group exclusively earned the revenue generated from the joint briefings, said Molefe. Members of the ad hoc committee have indicated they want the deal to be reviewed and, possibly, cancelled. In his submission, Molefe makes it clear that the contract for the breakfast briefings was signed when he was no longer acting SABC CEO. It was signed by former CEO Lulama Mokhobo and then TNA CEO Nazeem Howa. The committee is pushing to complete its final report before the end of February.