SABC Bill: Parliamentary Committee Urges Finalisation Amid Delays

Posted 27 August 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Parliament

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has raised concerns regarding the prolonged delay in finalising the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) SOC Ltd Bill.

In terms of the legislative process following the committee meeting on 23 April 2025, Committee chair Khusela Diko issued a statement noting that the Department of Communications & Digital Technologies has deferred detailed responses regarding the Bill’s status. The Department indicated that the matter is currently under consideration within the Minister’s office and Cabinet processes.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) SOC Ltd Bill was originally tabled in October 2023 with the primary objective of repealing the Broadcasting Act, No. 4 of 1999. The Bill followed a complex procedural timeline:

  • October 2023: Bill officially tabled in Parliament.
  • May 2024: Bill lapsed when Parliament rose for the national elections.
  • July 2024: Bill was revived by the current Parliament.
  • 11 November 2024: The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies announced a decision to withdraw the Bill, though no official statement has since confirmed the procedural finality of this withdrawal.

The proposed legislation seeks to reform the national broadcaster by establishing a new funding model and amending governance structures currently regulated under the Broadcasting Act, No. 4 of 1999. Despite the Minister’s November 2024 announcement, the Bill has not been formally struck from the order paper, leaving the regulatory framework in a state of uncertainty.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; however, legal professionals should monitor the status of the Broadcasting Act, No. 4 of 1999 as its repeal remains a stated legislative objective.
  • For your business: Media and digital technology firms should prepare for potential shifts in the broadcasting regulatory landscape, particularly regarding SABC’s commercial mandates and competitive positioning once a new funding model is finalised.
  • For your clients: Clients in the media, advertising, and telecommunications sectors must be advised that the current broadcasting governance framework is subject to significant revision, pending the resolution of the Bill’s ‘limbo’ status in Parliament.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/sabc-bill-parliamentary-committee-chair-concerned-about-prolonged-delay

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