By Thapelo Molefe
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has warned that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is “nearing collapse” and urgently requires a R7 billion bailout.
The warning came during Parliament’s Budget Vote 30 debate on communications and digital technologies on Tuesday, where MPs clashed over funding, governance and the future of state-owned digital entities.
EFF MP Sixolise Gcilishe told the National Assembly that the public broadcaster was operating under an unsustainable financial burden and risked failing to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
“The SABC is not a luxury. It is a public asset and a constitutional necessity, yet it is being systematically depleted,” Gcilishe said.
She said the broadcaster faced an unfunded public mandate exceeding R7 billion over the medium term, warning that this could affect key coverage, including the 2026 local government elections.
“We demand an urgent, comprehensive and unconditional rescue plan for the SABC, including a R7
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