JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 30: The SABC building on June 30, 2009, in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Business Day / Tyrone Arthur)
Read: Senior journalist claims SABC funds were used to start Guptas’ ANN7
During Monday’s parliamentary inquiry into the SABC board’s fitness to hold office, Vuyo Mvoko shocked MPs when he revealed that money from the – taxpayer-funded – national broadcaster was used to kickstart the infamous Gupta family’s ANN7 ‘news’ channel.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JUNE 30: The SABC building on June 30, 2009, in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images / Business Day / Tyrone Arthur)
Why is it that every time something nefarious is being investigated, the Gupta family pops up?
Vuyo Mvoko, who’s been a journo for yonks, was one of four journalists called to testify at the parliamentary inquiry into the SABC board. Along with the other three, Mvoko supplied MPs with evidence of censorship from then-COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng as well as political interference on how the broadcaster is run.
“What SABC executives haven’t informed you about is they have allowed SABC money to be used to build a rival channel – ANN7,” Mvoko said, adding that it’s the SABC that actually pays for the Guptas’ TNA breakfast briefings, where senior politicians and even Jacob Zuma are a regular feature.
“Yet, the money the owners of TNA make, none of it – not a cent – goes to the SABC. From the millions they make through sponsorship, to the tables they sell at those breakfasts – they do not take any of that to the SABC except, perhaps, to the people who make things happen for them.”
According to EWN, Mvoko told the commission that the Guptas’ TNA media only established ANN7 after the family failed to take control of SABC News.
“But it’s the SABC that has to pay for its downfall and to build this alternative channel.”
