DA MP Gavin Davis has opened a criminal case of perjury against embattled SABC chair Ellen Tshabalala.
On Wednesday, parliament’s communications portfolio committee heard evidence from Unisa which caused them to find Tshabalala guilty on two counts of misconduct for misrepresenting her qualifications and for claiming, under oath, that the certificates had been stolen.
Tshabalala submitted an affidavit to parliament last year when requested to provide copies of her qualifications with her application for the board post.
In it she states “around 2001-2002 my house was broken into and goods were stolen.
“The matter was reported to the police in Randburg. Amongst other items which were stolen was my bag which contained all my academic records, certificates and all my private documents”.
In his affidavit to the police, Davis said: “This is contradicted by the academic records of Unisa which states that Ms Tshabalala did not obtain these qualifications.”
The portfolio committee has recommended that Tshabalala be removed from her post and that she be suspended in the interim, as her removal can only be done once parliament sits again in February.
During Wednesday’s deliberations ANC MP Maesela Kekana also suggested that she be criminally charged.
Yesterday Davis, who originally requested an inquiry into Tshabalala’s qualifications in July, said he had opened the case.
He said while he was pleased with the outcome of the inquiry, a series of “delaying tactics” by Tshabalala meant that the matter had dragged on much longer than it should have.
Tshabalala did not appear at the hearing on Wednesday, stating instead in an affidavit read out by her attorney that she believed that she would not be treated fairly or under the principles of natural justice.
She also indicated that she would be appealing a high court ruling that gave the inquiry the go-ahead.
Tshabalala said yesterday she was in a meeting and could not comment.
Her attorney, Michael Tilney, did not respond to requests for comment.
Police spokesman Tembinkosi Kinana confirmed that a case had been opened but said it would be transferred to the Sandton police.
DA opens case against SABC chair for perjury
On Wednesday, parliament’s communications portfolio committee heard evidence from Unisa which caused them to find Tshabalala guilty on two counts of misconduct for misrepresenting her qualifications and for claiming, under oath, that the certificates had been stolen.
Tshabalala submitted an affidavit to parliament last year when requested to provide copies of her qualifications with her application for the board post.
In it she states “around 2001-2002 my house was broken into and goods were stolen.
“The matter was reported to the police in Randburg. Amongst other items which were stolen was my bag which contained all my academic records, certificates and all my private documents”.
In his affidavit to the police, Davis said: “This is contradicted by the academic records of Unisa which states that Ms Tshabalala did not obtain these qualifications.”
The portfolio committee has recommended that Tshabalala be removed from her post and that she be suspended in the interim, as her removal can only be done once parliament sits again in February.
During Wednesday’s deliberations ANC MP Maesela Kekana also suggested that she be criminally charged.
Yesterday Davis, who originally requested an inquiry into Tshabalala’s qualifications in July, said he had opened the case.
He said while he was pleased with the outcome of the inquiry, a series of “delaying tactics” by Tshabalala meant that the matter had dragged on much longer than it should have.
Tshabalala did not appear at the hearing on Wednesday, stating instead in an affidavit read out by her attorney that she believed that she would not be treated fairly or under the principles of natural justice.
She also indicated that she would be appealing a high court ruling that gave the inquiry the go-ahead.
Tshabalala said yesterday she was in a meeting and could not comment.
Her attorney, Michael Tilney, did not respond to requests for comment.
Police spokesman Tembinkosi Kinana confirmed that a case had been opened but said it would be transferred to the Sandton police.
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