RUSTENBURG HERALD - JOHANNESBURG - The SABC has fired two Senior Executives for allegedly hiding a multi-million Rand revenue-sharing agreement with an external company appointed to manage its SABC+ service.
In a statement from the SABC's corporate affairs and Marketing Head Mmoni Seapolelo, the broadcaster confirmed that Chief Operating Officer Ian Plaatjies and Head of Video Entertainment Merlin Naicker were relieved of their duties because of the contentious deal.
"The SABC Board of Directors has resolved to terminate the employment contract of Ian Plaatjies, following a disciplinary process, Seapolelo said in 'n statement. "The Board has duly considered the finding and recommendations of the report by an independent Chairperson and decided to release Plaatjies from his duties as the SABC's Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect," she said. "The SABC can further confirm that the Group Executive for Video Entertainment, Merlin Naicker, is also released from his duties with immediate effect, following a disciplinary hearing."
According to City Press, the dismissals come after an internal audit and independent investigation by law firm Werksmans, found that the business plan the Executives had tabled during a meeting on 7 November 2023 said that the broadcaster would be entitled to all the revenue generated from SABC+. Earlier, the broadcaster appointed Discover Digital to manage the platform on a R35-million contract. "This version of the business plan was approved by the Executive Committee and a resolution was taken giving the green light for the contract drafting process to ensue," Werksmans’ legal opinion stated.
However, Plaatjies, Naicker and SABC Sales Head Reginal Mxumalo allegedly hid the fact that a further 7.5% of the advertising revenue generated on SABC+ would be paid to the company. Werksmans said the three Executives had deliberatedly hidden the revenue-sharing clause during their presentation to the Executive Committee and had misled it by stating that 100% of the advertising revenue wold go towards the SABC.
