Prominent Zimbabweans barred from speaking on SABC
By Violet Gonda
13 October 2006

A South African commission of inquiry, probing an alleged political gagging by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, has revealed a shocking blacklist of SA commentators, Zimbabweans and others. Under the instructions of the news and current affairs managing director Snuki Zikalala, outspoken Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube and media mogul Trevor Ncube are among the prominent Zimbabweans on a blacklist of commentators who will not be consulted by the public broadcaster.

Allegations were made a few weeks ago that the SABC had blacklisted four South African political commentators from appearing on any of their television or radio programmes, because of their criticism of the SA government. The four were Moeletsi Mbeki (President Mbeki’s brother), two journalists from Business Day and another political analyst. A commission of inquiry was instituted and the outcome of the investigations revealed that there had been several other people who had been banned from appearing on SABC.

Part of the 78-page report said; “The commission found direct evidence that Zikalala gave instructions that businessman Moeletsi Mbeki, activist Elinor Sisulu and Mail & Guardian chief executive Trevor Ncube should not be used as commentators about Zimbabwe.”

The commission recommended that their report be made public but SABC has only published a 7 page, watered down version. The group’s chief executive Dali Mpofu is also saying they have “full confidence” in Zikalala.
SA based Zimbabwean journalists Basildon Peta said; “ His argument is that it was an internal inquiry so there is no reason to make it public.”

The commission was made up of former SABC head Zwelakhe Sisulu and advocate Gilbert Marcus. Mbeki and Sisulu both appeared before the commission and the report said: “Contrary to Dr Zikalala’s impression that they were out of touch, both struck us as having deep roots and connections within Zimbabwe.”

Basildon Peta said; “Elinor Sisulu is quite an active participant in the Zimbabwean civic society sector operating in exile here in SA. She gets constant coverage on other television/radio news networks including the print media. The SABC don’t cover her at all. But it has only become clear now.”

In the report a letter sent by Pippa Green, then head of news, to Snuki Zikalala on April 6th last year (published by the Mail and Guardian), revealed that Green and another staff member were threatened if there was any “opinion” that was reported on Zimbabwe.

Green wrote in the letter; “You expressly forbade the views of members of civil society on the situation in Zimbabwe, naming two specific individuals: Elinor Sisulu and Moeletsi Mbeki. Sisulu is an active member of civil society both here and in Zimbabwe. As for Mr Mbeki, he is a former journalist and now businessman who also happens to be head of the South African Institute of International Affairs.
You also informed our line talk that you had excised the voices of Zimbabwean Archbishop Pius Ncube and publisher Trevor Ncube from a TV report on Zimbabwe, and said that you held the same views about their voices on radio. Archbishop Ncube, whatever we may think of his view, is the head of the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe. Barring his views on the situation in his own country would be equivalent to barring the views of Archbishop Desmond Tutu on social and political matters here.”

Analysts have expressed concern that the latest developments are a copy of what happened under apartheid and raised questions as to whether SA is heading the Zimbabwe route in media control. When asked if the democratic space is being shut down in South Africa Basildon Peta said; “The kind of controls that happen here are not like the controls in Zimbabwe which are brazen and direct. They are subtle.”

He said it’s possible that the Mbeki government may not go out of its way to muzzle the media but that; “It’s the characters who are employed in key positions at the SABC who see their role as being that of pleasing the government of Mr Mbeki and the ANC at all cost, that they will do anything to stifle opposition voices. And in this respect I am speaking with particular regards to Mr Snuki Zikalala.”

The SABC current affairs and news managing director’s appointment, several years ago, was controversial. Peta said; “He is a passionate ANC cadre and he tends to mix his role in the ANC with his role as the managing director of news at the SABC.

Commissioners had recommended urgent action against Zikalala. SABC has violated all recommendations of the commission by not publishing the report and not censuring Mr. Zikalala.

Read Mail & Guardian article