SABC+blacklists+disloyal+critics,+Kingdom+Mabuza,+Sowetan

Sowetan, Johannesburg, 20 June
=SABC blacklists ‘disloyal’ critics=


 * Kingdom Mabuza**

The SABC is embroiled in a new controversy after reportedly banning four top black political commentators.

The commentators are: Aubrey Matshiqi, an independent analyst, William Gumede, the author of a book about President Thabo Mbeki and the ANC, and Business Day journalists Karima Brown and Vukani Mde.

Sowetan has reliably learnt that SABC editor Snuki Zikalala has told his staff that opinion pieces by the four commentators should not be accepted for use in the public broadcaster’s news and current-affairs programmes.

“He specifically warned us not to engage them on matters pertaining to the [presidential] succession race within the ANC because of their alleged bias,” said a source at the SABC.

Matshiqi apparently spoiled his relationship with the public broadcaster when he recently warned that the ANC succession battle could lead to civil war unless the party “managed” the process.

“We were told that we should ignore Matshiqi because he says there is a revolution coming,” said the source.

Matshiqi confirmed to Sowetan last night that he had been told by SABC producers that he was not welcome at Auckland Park, the broadcaster’s headquarters in Johannesburg.

Business Day political editor Karima Brown, who has written articles on the ANC succession struggle, said she was not shocked or surprised to learn of her blacklisting.

“I have not heard about the ban. I was contacted recently to be a guest on [the SABC radio programme] AM Live and participate in the succession debate, but I was phoned again and told not to come,” she said.

Brown and Mde have rubbed several Mbeki supporters up the wrong way by ridiculing the newly formed Native Club.

The club, meant to attract “relevant black intellectuals”, is an initiative of Mbeki’s political adviser Titus Mafolo.

Neither Mde nor Gumede could be reached for comment at the time of going to press.

Kaizer Kganyago, an SABC spokesman, refused to comment on the instructions said to have been given by Zikalala.


 * From: http://www.sowetan.co.za/szones/sowetanNEW/news/news1150777510.asp**

335 words