SABC chief exec ankles after run-ins with board

Matlare announced his resignation Jan. 20

By CHRISTELLE DE JAGER

JOHANNESBURG -- South African Broadcasting Corp. boss Peter Matlare has resigned suddenly amid rumors that he could no longer put up with political interference from SABC's African National Congress-dominated board and a dispute over the commissioning of a current affairs program.

Matlare, who has been chief exec since January 2001, announced his resignation Jan. 20.

The ANC has been the ruling party since the country's first democratic elections in 1994, and in the past few years there have been allegations of political interference in editorial decisions from pro-ANC board appointees.

Strained relations between Matlare and head of news Snuki Zikalala, widely regarded as an ANC partisan, broke down after Matlare commissioned current affairs show "The Roundtable" from an outside production house, allegedly in violation of editorial policy.

Commissioning is particularly sensitive as the board is scrutinizing the results of a probe into allegations of corruption surrounding commissioning. Results are expected soon.

The board is unhappy with what it sees as Matlare's slow restructuring and black empowerment at the pubcaster. However, SABC execs hit by the changes also have complained.

Despite persistent speculation, Matlare denies the board pushed him out, saying only it was time to move on to a new opportunity.

SABC spokesman Paul Setsetse says Matlare, whose contract expires in December, will leave at a date to be determined by the government.

However, cell phone company Vodacom says he will become exec director, commercial, on April 1.