The Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday President Cyril Ramaphosa’s “long overdue” authorisation of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) investigation into the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC’s) “lavish breakfast briefings” is a “critical move” in turning around the State broadcaster, which the party says is showing signs of recovery.

On Monday, Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to probe allegations of corruption and serious maladministration in the SABC relating to its hosting of The New Age Breakfast Briefings.

The SIU was also prompted to investigate maladministration in Eskom, Transnet, PetroSA, South African Airways and the National Department of Human Settlements (formerly known as the National Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation).

DA communications and digital technology spokesperson Tsholofelo Bodlani said Ramaphosa’s decision to grant the SIU authority to investigate the State broadcaster’s involvement in these briefings between 2011 and 2016 is a much-needed step towards accountability.

The SIU has been tasked with investigating potential maladministration, violations of laws, and whether any State institutions incurred unauthorised or wasteful expenditure because of these agreements.

Bodlani pointed out that the appointment of a seemingly fit-for-purpose board last year, had contributed to governance improvements, including the broadcaster receiving its first clean audit in 14 years.

“Additionally, its annual losses have decreased from R1.1-billion in 2023 to R590-million in 2024,” she noted.

However, she said the SABC’s “outdated business model” remained unresolved, claiming that the corporation continued to rely heavily on fluctuating advertising revenue and unpaid TV licences, even from government departments.

The DA wants government to focus on developing an “updated and viable” funding model to secure the future of the public broadcaster.