The SABC told Parliament that its R120 million funding request for the November 4 local government elections has still not been settled, IOL reported.
Chief executive Nomsa Chabeli told the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies that the final amount will decide how big and how deep its coverage can be.
“The SABC will cover the elections regardless of the funding outcome,” Chabeli said.
The public broadcaster first told Parliament in August that it needed the extra money for staff, technology and broadcast equipment across the country.
According to IOL, National Treasury did not set aside the R120 million in the 2026 budget. The SABC sent its request to Treasury again in August, but the money has not been paid.
For the 2024 elections, the SABC received R35 million in dedicated funding.
Chabeli said election plans were moving forward, but full readiness still depended on the funding decision.
“The resilience of delivery on the 4th of November will depend on our funding availability and most importantly, decisions that are taken now,” she said.
She said the broadcaster was working with the Electoral Commission of South Africa on results arrangements. Data and results systems still need to be tested before election day.
The SABC is also working with old equipment. “We are aware that we are working with outdated equipment,” Chabeli said.
Communications Minister Solly Malatsi told MPs he had spoken to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and President Cyril Ramaphosa about helping the SABC.
“There was no immediate resolution that would release funds as a direct result of that meeting,” Malatsi said. He said more clarity was expected through the adjustments budget process.
Acting director-general Gcobisa Soci said the department was still waiting for a reply from Treasury. She said the department would also look at whether savings could be moved to the SABC.
MPs asked what the broadcaster would cut if the money did not come. ANC MP Imraan Subrathie asked how the SABC could hire and train people in time without knowing its budget.
EFF MP Sixolise Gcilishe asked whether all parties would get fair coverage. MK Party MP Adil Nchabeleng said his party had not received enough coverage of its manifesto and rallies.
Malatsi rejected claims that parties were being shut out. “There is no decision made to gag any political party. It would be inappropriate to do so,” he said.
He called on parties to accept SABC invitations to take part in election programmes.
Chabeli said the SABC would use checks, partnerships and human oversight to deal with fake news and deepfakes during the campaign.
“If funding comes quite late, we will be limited in terms of what we are able to source to ensure that we are able to integrate and deliver accordingly,” she said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.