Leletu Xamba

The South African Broadcasting Corporation has applied for R1.5 billion in aid funding from the Covid-19 relief fund.

The acting Director of Communications and Digital Technologies, Nomvuyisi Bhatyi revealed that this decision comes after the corporation was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She previously suggested this action during a brief to the parliamentary committee on the work of the unit in the first quarter of this financial year. Bhatyi said the request is being considered.

The committee had previously heard from SABC executives about how COVID 19 has influenced the corporate income after economic growth was influenced.

Due to financial constraints, the SABC says that it intends to lay off about 600 full-time employees. The SABC additionally said it would not renew employment contracts for 1,200 part-time employees, while it also plans to terminate over 1 000 contracts of freelancers.

Parliament’s Portfolio Communication Board has asked the SABC to finalise skill audit before retrenchment.

“We have inherited a bloated structure. No matter how we re-skill people we will still have a bloated structure,” Said SABC Chief Operating Officer, Ian Plaatjies.

SABC unions want court action over the consultation process regarding retrenchments.

Picture: sabc.com