SCANDAL ROCKS SABC: TWO EXECUTIVES AXED OVER SECRET AD DEAL
In a shocking move, the SABC has finally taken action against two senior executives, Ian Plaatjes and Merlin Naicker, who were caught hiding a multimillion-rand advertising deal from the public broadcaster’s executive committee.
The two executives, who were suspended in February, were allegedly involved in a 7.5% profit-share deal with Discover Digital, which runs the SABC Plus streaming service. The deal was kept secret from the committee, and the executives misled them into believing that the SABC would receive 100% of the advertising profits.
COVER-UP EXPOSED
According to a report by City Press, legal firm Werksmans Attorneys advised the SABC on the matter and found that Plaatjes, Naicker, and former head of advertising sales Reginald Nxumalo were "deliberate" in hiding crucial information from the committee. The trio allegedly withheld vital information, including the 7.5% profit-share agreement, which was only discovered by the SABC’s legal team nine days after the executive committee had approved the proposal.
SABC’S DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
The SABC’s acting executive for corporate affairs and marketing, Mmoni Seapolela, announced the axing of the two executives, stating that the board had "duly considered the findings and recommendations of the report by an independent chair and decided to release Mr Plaatjes from his duties as the SABC’s chief operating officer with immediate effect."
WHAT’S NEXT FOR SABC PLUS?
Despite the controversy, SABC Plus has proved to be a hit for the broadcaster, with 4.6 million unique views in the first three weeks of June. The platform is reliant on advertising for revenue, but the SABC is exploring other revenue streams. With TV licence fees off the table, it remains to be seen what the future holds for SABC Plus.
READ NEXT: SABC+ IS A HIT FOR THE PUBLIC BROADCASTER
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