SABC ‘should be hitting the panic button’ over Jimi Matthews’ resignation | City Press

27 Jun 2016

Ndileka Lujabe

Jimi Matthews

Jimi Matthews has been praised as “doing the right thing” following his resignation from the SABC today.

Matthews, who was acting SABC chief executive, tweeted today that he had resigned.

“What is happening at the broadcaster is wrong and I can longer be part of it,” he said in his resignation letter to Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, chairperson of the SABC board.

Matthews said the “corrosive atmosphere” at the SABC had affected his moral judgement negatively and his resignation was effective immediately.

I have quit the SABC. pic.twitter.com/ZIwa7K5z9c
— jimi matthews (@jimimatthews) June 27, 2016

“[The resignation] wasn’t a surprise for me. We welcome the decision and can only commend him. It’s never too late to do the right thing,” said William Bird, Director of Media Monitoring Africa.

“I’ve known Jimi as a man of principle and high moral value who valued the public broadcaster in its role of democracy,” Bird added.

Bird’s sentiments were echoed by union leader Hannes du Buisson.

“We’ve been complaining about what’s been going on at the SABC and we commend Jimi for that immensely brave move,” said Du Buisson, who is a spokesperson for the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union.

“There are a number of journalists facing suspension and disciplinary action for simply doing their jobs and upholding the Broadcasting Act. It is ridiculous,” du Buisson said.

Bird said that by now the SABC “should be hitting the panic button” and act against the ongoing damage to the broadcaster’s reputation.

“If anything, Jimi’s resignation is an alarm bell for everyone concerned about democracy,” he said.

Response on social media to Mathews’ resignation:

#JimiMatthews Breaking story! But @SAfmnews 11am does not even report that it's acting CEO has quit. #SABC
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) June 27, 2016

SA: "So who'll replace Jimi Matthews?"
Hlaudi: "Oviaaaaas..me" pic.twitter.com/QPElVRJpeb
— Lungelo_31/03/2015 (@lulushezi) June 27, 2016

The SABC is an SA asset & that it's being turned into a state broadcaster that serves the interests of the ruling party must be condemned
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) June 27, 2016

Sanef is also calling on the #SABC leadership to allow its journalists to work in a free environment that does not compromise their ethics
— Katy Katopodis (@KatyKatopodis) June 27, 2016

Literally DAILY now, for weeks, the #SABC keeps making big scandal news AS the news. That is NOT what a public broadcaster is, or should be.
— TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) June 27, 2016

Imagine spending years training as a journalist, learning all those professional skills & values, and then ending up at #SABC under #Hlaudi
— IG: AdvBarryRoux (@Barry_Roux) June 27, 2016

Jimi Matthews steps down from SABC. On Friday I tweeted that he was one of best managers I'd ever had&it was sad to see him grovel to Hlaudi
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) June 27, 2016

Wonder if the SABC is reporting the resignation of Jimi Matthews ... pic.twitter.com/z2kkpOhQNw
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) June 27, 2016

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