afrol News, 6 May - South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has suspended its group Executive of News and Current Affairs with immediate effect.

Snuki Zikalala's suspension has been endorsed by the SABC Chief Executive, Dali Mpofu, pending the outcome of investigation into allegations of misconduct.

"The outcome of the investigation is likely to result in a formal disciplinary inquiry," the public broadcaster said in a statement on Tuesday.

"In order to protect the rights of all parties involved, there will be no public discussion of the details surrounding this issue, at this stage."

Mr Zikalala's suspension came after increasing and persistent public outcry over his role in the SABC's black-list saga.

At some point, the issue became a heated debate in parliament, with some deputies trumpeting the imposition of heavy punishment on Mr Zikalala. ANC MP Kgotso Khumalo described his action as "unacceptable" and wondered why the SABC management was slow in taking stern action against Zikalala for blacklisting certain commentators.

"No action seem to have been taken. It is unacceptable that Zikalala blacklisted people because they did not agree with his views," he said.

The management claimed to have warned Zikalala, an action parliamentarians said was next to nothing.

Zikalala was earlier cleared by the Sisulu Commission after there was no evidence to support that he had been politically bias.

He was said to have blacklisted some people - including the author of a book on President Thabo Mbeki William Gumede - from appearing on SABC in 2006.

Mr Zikalala was threatened by a group of delegates at the ANC conference in Polokwane in December. The group stormed the SABC studio at the conference and threatened the news chief.

By staff writer

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