National / Media WOES DEEPEN SABC racks up operating loss of R509m in a single quarter The public broadcaster is facing its worst financial crisis, despite implementing a turnaround strategy BL PREMIUM

The SABC is sinking deeper into a financial quagmire and recorded a staggering R509m operating loss for the fourth quarter ending March 31, Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo says. The minister told an economics cluster question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday that under the circumstances the public broadcaster would not be able to meet its contractual obligations, including paying service providers. The SABC recorded a loss of R411m in the 2015-16 financial year, up from R395m the previous year. Dlodlo said a moratorium had been imposed on capital expenditure and disciplinary cases involving employees on paid suspension would be expedited. She said the number of consultants would be reduced.