国际英语新闻:Zuma has no personal preferences in appointment of SABC Board: Presidency

CAPE TOWN, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma has no personal preferences in the appointments of Board Members of the state-run South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the Presidency said on Sunday.

The Presidency made the statement amid rumors that Zuma deliberately delayed the appointment of the SABC Board.

Zuma has been blamed for the lengthy delay in the appointment of the new SABC Board recommended by the National Assembly.

Twelve names of persons have been approved by Parliament to serve on the SABC Board and are waiting for Zuma's approval, which has been overdue.

The City Press newspaper reported on Sunday that the delay was due to Zuma's "certain preferences" in the SABC Board Members.

The report said Zuma wants to make his own appointments as far as the strategic positions of chief operating officer (COO), chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO) go - without the board's input.

"The rumors reported by the media that the appointments have not been made yet because President Jacob Zuma has certain preferences or 'does not like' certain candidates or that he has an interest in the appointment of SABC executives are mischievous and are without foundation," presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.

The Presidency is concerned about the rumors and gossip that continue to flourish with regards to the SABC Board appointment, Ngqulunga said.

"The President respects the parliamentary process that was undertaken and has no personal preferences," Ngqulunga said.

The Broadcasting Act enjoins the President as the Appointing Authority to ensure that persons recommended for appointment as members of the SABC Board, should meet certain requirements including citizenship and to have no criminal records.

The SABC is the state broadcaster in South Africa, and provides 19 radio stations (AM/FM) as well as five television broadcasts to the general public.

Poor management has put the SABC in financial limbo. The new SABC Board should have taken over when the term of the interim Board ended at the end of September.