Government Offices in the Hot Seat: "Pay Your TV Licence Fees or Else!"
[Image description: Solly Malatsi, Communications Minister, giving the finger to the camera with a stern expression]
Mudslinging started on Tuesday as Communications Minister Solly Malatsi called out government departments that haven’t been coughing up their TV licence fees to the SABC. In a strongly-worded statement, Malatsi likened the situation to a "culture of non-payment for public services such as TV licences" that’s "unacceptable".
"Hey, government! If you want to set an example for the rest of South Africans, you’d better start paying up! It’s called leading by example, people!" Malatsi thundered. "I’ve written to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, demanding urgent intervention to sort out this mess. It’s insulting that government departments, who are supposed to be setting the standard, are instead thumbing their noses at the SABC’s licence fees."
According to the SABC, government offices owe the public broadcaster a whopping R30-million in outstanding fees. And it’s not like they’re short on cash; the government simply refuses to prioritize paying the bills.
Malatsi wasn’t having it, demanding that government departments "set a high standard for compliance with legal and financial responsibilities". In other words, "step up and start doing their part to fund the SABC’s operations, or else!"
The situation is even more dire than you think, folks. In the 2023 financial year, the SABC reported that just 16% of its revenue came from TV licences, with advertising making up the bulk. And to make matters worse, the SABC’s invoiced TV owners for R4.7-billion in licence fees, but only 19% of them coughed up the cash.
As the situation worsens, with non-compliance rates soaring to 86%, it’s clear that something needs to be done – and fast. The SABC can’t keep limping along on a shoestring budget, and government departments need to take responsibility for their part in funding the public broadcaster. It’s time for them to pony up and get serious about supporting our national broadcaster.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
