SABC News ‘Fires’ Presenter while Live on Air due to Broadcaster’s Shenanigans

Palesa Chubisi who is a TV news presenter on SABC News was fired on Monday while she was live on air.

She is part of the 13 employees who were fired as they are included in the Public Protector’s report on the Shenanigans of Broadcaster.

According to some reports, there were employees at SABC who were appointed, promoted or received salary adjustments unethically and unlawfully. The Broadcaster was conducting investigations which ended in June 2020 on allegations that some employees benefited via a process that denied others the same opportunities that they got. This included opportunities such as having fair and equitable access to compete for promotions and appointments which those other employees got without going through the proper channels.

Palesa was the producer/presenter for Morning Live, a presenter for Leihlo la Sechaba and a Co-host of SA Today. She was fired from all these positions as the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s June report showed proof of allegations that the presenter’s/producer’s appointment to those positions mentioned were done irregularly.

According to the Public Protector’s report, Palesa was appointed permanently without following the proper procedures in terms of employing someone. These procedures included placing a vacant for the position on hand, adhering to the recruitment procedures and prescriptions.

Since Palesa’s appointment wasn’t in line with the right procedures of employment mentioned above, SABC was therefore right to fire her on the spot as the Public Protector’s remedical action was for the CEO of SABC to take action within 30 days of receiving the report. However, it’s not all bad news for Palesa as the Public Protector did mention that SABC could reappoint Palesa to the previous position of being a producer/presenter for Lesedi FM.