Malatsi under fire as SABC fights for R120m election coverage funding

The ANC is demanding answers over the SABC’s R120 million request for additional election funding, saying the shortfall could affect infrastructure, staff training and multilingual coverage.

The ANC has criticised Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi for failing to secure R120 million in additional funding requested by the SABC for election coverage.

The ANC Study Group on Communications and Digital Technologies said Malatsi had twice declined to support the public broadcaster’s application for additional funding during the adjustments budget process.

The SABC told Parliament that it requires R120 million to support its election coverage, including the deployment of personnel, technology and broadcasting infrastructure needed for the November 4 polls. Parliament’s portfolio committee has called for the funding to be urgently secured.

The ANC said the funding was needed for the SABC to procure critical ICT infrastructure, train staff and provide equitable multilingual coverage, particularly to underserved communities.