OUTA, in an interview with MyBroadband.co.za says its investigations into the “SABC’s outsourcing of its TV Licence debt collecting work to external companies is at an advanced stage”.
OUTA chairman Wayne Duvenage says they have detected a number of irregularities with the companies appointed to collect the debt.
He says: “… the conduct and flow of the collection proceeds, we believe, are in contravention of” legal acts of parliament. “In addition, the including of so-called free funeral policies is also a matter that requires investigation.”
In August 2016, the SABC started offering citizens who paid their TV licence free funeral cover. Duvenage said they are even investigating the principle of having to pay TV Licences in South Africa.
OUTA says: “Our assessment of the entire TV Licence matters is being so outrageously handled by SABC management that questions have now arisen as to the legality of its true purpose, rationality, and legitimacy… These factors combined appear to provide OUTA with a strong case to challenge the need to pay TV Licences. Our project in this regard is well advanced.”
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago previously stated that TV Licences are a legislated fee and that OUTA should not advocate lawlessness.
Meanwhile OUTA filed charges at the Brixton Police Station against the SABC, which include fraud, racketeering, corruption and abuse of power for a number of matters, one of them being procurement irregularities and a contract with Vision View Production CC, pertaining to the upgrading of two television studios.
“The information we received prior to our charges… was substantive and sufficient for the case to be opened. However… input from the whistle-blower – who shared his input with many organisations – provides additional information, which we will use to supplement… (the) charges. We will ensure that Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng (the self-styled Fuhrer at the SABC – pictured above) and others responsible will be held accountable for the contract in favour of Vision View Productions, as this was a gross contravention of due process and done without the requisite authorisation,” sais Lerissa Govender, internal legal counsel at OUTA.
