What is Snuki Zakalala and the SABC up to now?
Remember Snuki Zakalala, the Managing Director of SABC News and Current Affairs? The guy who has a problem with voices critical of Mugabe and Zanu PF policies..? Snuki Zakalala is the man who implemented an informal policy at the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) to blacklist several highly credible commentators on the crisis in Zimbabwe, including Archbishop Pius Ncube, Moeletsi Mbeki, Trevor Ncube and Elinor Sisulu. This was an action that would have resulted in South Africans being deprived of full coverage of events in our country.
Well, this same man announced last week that the SABC would be opening a bureau in Zimbabwe. He commented, “We felt that it is important to have a presence here so that we cover the true Zimbabwean story”. Note the inclusion of the word ‘true‘, which in itself implies that the news currently coming out of Zimbabwe is a lie.
I’d agree with him on the point of ‘lies’ if I thought he was talking about the news emerging from state controlled media. But I suspect, he isn’t. The decision to open up a bureau followed a meeting he had with the Zimbabwean Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu.
And Sikhanyiso Ndlovu is the chap who described the police torture and violence towards our civic leaders last month as an “appropriate response” by the police. Do you think this level of brutality can ever be described as appropriate? Or this? Can you see where this is heading?
So the fact that Snuki Zakalala is having chats with Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and using language that implies a certain bias towards some of the news in Zimbabwe tells me that he really thinks that it’s people like US who are the liars and spin doctors of misinformation. And mostly people like the amazing SW Radio Africa.
So consider this: a couple of days ago SW Radio Africa had a screenshot on their website (see image above) of what an employee at the SABC would see if they tried to access the SW Radio Africa website from within the SABC.
And then yesterday they had an article where they’ve been trying to investigate the problem further:
On Monday we talked to Fakir Hassen who works in the IT division and he confirmed that SABC has what he called “control measures” in place that restrict access to pornography, downloading large files and audio streaming. He stressed that it had nothing to do with censuring any radio station. Regarding written stories Hassen said: “There is no problem in accessing a website that is purely word in content, if you will. When it comes to audio downloads etcetera, there are restrictions there.”
But when we asked several employees at SABC, in different departments, to try and access some websites that have audio streaming, they told us the sites opened without a problem and allowed them to read the text. It is when they wanted to open the streaming that they were blocked. Among the sites tested were South Africa’s Radio 702, Radio Veritas, Afrosounds FM and several websites that cover Zimbabwe.
This indicated that there is a different reason for the blocking of our website.
So, factor in Snuki Zikalala’s previous history, his comment on the need for the “true Zimbabwean story”, and now this from SW Radio Africa - I think I can see what’s going on in the run up to the next elections in Zimbabwe and I’m not impressed. This is not good behaviour for a country that supposedly has rights enshrined in bills to protect access to free information and freedom of speech etc. What do you think?
If you want to know more about Snuki Zakalala, read this by Marianne Thamme (who calls him Herr Doktor Snuki Zikalala!), and bloggers Farrel and Someamongus.
April 24th, 2007 16:56
I live in South Africa and am South African. I heard a very troubling interview with Morgan Tsvangirai on 15 April (on SAFM at 8.30 am) which was very biased (the interviewer asked if the MDC leader had provoked the police into beating him on 11 March) and I have made a complaint regarding this to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission in SA. I would like to get in touch with any Zimbabwean human rights organisations based in Johannesburg re SABC bias, particularly if they are monitoring the SABC re the “blacklisted” commentators on Zimbabwe.
April 24th, 2007 17:45
I think you are right - I can also see why Snukis is keen to open a news propaganda in Zimbabwe. Hold your heart and stay calm - the liar will show his true colours very soon whether he be Snuki or his Zimbabwean counterparts. Millions of Zimbabweans who are fed up of the likes of these people will not be silenced by a stupid radio station whose aim is to spread vicious lies in support of one of the worst African dictators history has ever witnessed. Mugabe the Great will go down in history with his fellow supporters in style. Have faith!
November 16th, 2007 22:50
As one of the Technicians that work with the SABC servers, I would like to point out that ALL audio streaming within the SABC was stopped because we are broadcasting from our IP backbone. Streaming interferes with the audio packets and we are unable to differentiate between the Broadcasting Streams and the Audio Streams from on-line Radio Stations. Some sites start streaming the minute you connect to the index page and that is why some are blocked immediately. I find it such a pity that you did not research this further before making totally unsubstantiated statements like these. Which tells me that your other posts must also now be viewed as unresearched and a desperate attempt of a troublemaker. How does your conscience let you sleep at night. Now you may rant and rave that your remarks about Snuki is correct - but dear sir - don’t muddy the waters here. I’m not saying anything about Snuki - I’m merely talking about the eroneous remarks made about the streaming.
April 13th, 2008 21:20
@ SABC IT Technician
Bullshit aqnd I know I am more qualified than you. SW Radio Africa does NOT begin streaming immediately. In any event you state “we are unable to differentiate between the Broadcasting Streams and the Audio Streams from on-line Radio Stations” therefore you actively blocked this site. Did you think no one with an IT qualification would read this blog? You are as bad as Mugabe and MBeki, mudding the waters with half truths and misdirection to convince your audience you are telling the truth.
From a proud South African fighting wankers like you.