MPs liken SABC board to Hitler's Third Reich, a Shakespearean tragedy

The Committee's 82-page final report, which is supported by all parties represented on the committee - has been tabled in Parliament for adoption, this afternoon.

Committee chairperson, Vincent Smith, says the SABC has been in disarray for a while.

"Speaker, in the four years since this resolution was adopted, we have seen at least three SABC Boards, at least four Group CEOs. In this period, the SABC has been plagued by many challenges, including divisions at board level," he said.

He says the SABC must be led by those who are capable of doing the work they are hired to do.

"The SABC is a national asset, and also a national key point. And therefore must at all times be managed by competent, and appropriately skilled women and men, who are adequately vetted - in order to mitigate against state exposure. Speaker, those given the task and responsibility of managing this very important asset on behalf of South Africans, must be beyond reproach, and must be held to the highest level of accountability," he said.

Smith stressed to Parliament that the inquiry was transparent.

"It took place with absolute fairness and consistency. Of course Speaker and honourable members, like in all aspects of life, there will be those who support the product of this ad hoc committee, and likewise those who criticize and reject our reports," he said.

DA Deputy Chief Whip Mike Waters took to the podium - and began by applauding Smith on the manner in which he chaired the committee.

He says the DA want President Jacob Zuma to let Communications Minister Faith Muthambi go.

"The late, great George Michael said: 'We gotta have faith.' Unfortunately the DA no longer has faith in Minister Muthambi, and she must be fired," he said.

Waters has likened the report to a Shakespearean tragedy.

"From treachery, corruption, deceit, intimidation, abuse of power, trickery and sheer greed - the many characters in this tragedy are the Minister of Communications, and Hlaudi Motsoeneng - likened to Lady Macbeth and Lord Macbeth - with the journalists and staff being their victims," he said.

Waters says former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneg, and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi were involved in a reign of terror at the public broadcaster - and has called for the minister to be criminally charged.

"Their reign of tower aided and abetted by some - but not all the members of the board, the company secretary, by the majority of MPs serving on the Communications Portfolio committee. In addition, she committed perjury by giving the committee false evidence while under oath," he said.

Meanwhile, the EFF's Fana Mokoena says the SABC is being used as a propaganda machine.