Denials from the two main role-players and the SABC quickly followed a Sunday Times revelation that the broadcaster's boss, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, had pushed through a R167m contract with a production company co-owned by Zuma’s daughter Gugu Zuma-Ncube, going against the advice of a six-member review panel. The report says the three-year contract with Stained Glass Productions for drama series Uzalo has irked some staff, who believe the series has become ‘a political tool at the SABC’. The review panel decided not to renew Uzalo for a second season because of concerns that there was no proper business plan, the budget was ‘about 10 times that of a 13-part series’ and there had been problems during the show’s first season with ‘writing, aesthetics and delivery’. But Motsoeneng overruled them, and the deal was signed off within a week, claims the Sunday Times report, which adds the SABC was unfazed by the matter. ‘The SABC can confirm that the COO overruled the decision not to renew Uzalo, based on performance in its genre and growth in revenue,’ said spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago. But a respected TV producer said he was told by SABC staff members that Uzalo had become ‘a political tool at the SABC and that everyone was told it was a product of the President’s daughter and that they must find money for it’.

Full Sunday Times report (subscription needed)  

The denials have come thick and fast. At a media briefing this week the SABC claimed the decision was made on sound business considerations and not because Zuma's daughter was involved, and Stained Glass Productions co-owner Kobedi ‘Pepsi’ Pokane denied putting pressure on Motsoeneng to overturn the decision. In a debate on Talk Radio 702 this week Pokane explained that, to his knowledge, the decision to overturn the review board's recommendation was made after objections were raised by management in the SABC's sales division. Pokane confirmed that the producers met Motsoeneng but denied the company approached and appealed to Motsoeneng to overturn the decision, notes a TimesLIVE report. ‘Absolut ely not. We have had lots of meeting with Hlaudi. Hlaudi has an open door policy... he meets with people all the time,’ he said.

Full TimesLIVE report  

Zuma-Ncube has also dismissed the report. ‘Fact: I've produced the most successful show in RSA & arguably in the history of this country‚ but still being persecuted with lies. #Uzalo‚’ she said, according to another TimesLIVE report. Zuma-Ncube said her show was renewed because they are ‘currently bringing in the most advertising revenue for the SABC’. She added that the show does not receive special treatment from the state broadcaster because she is Zuma’s daughter. ‘Fact: I can't help who my parents are. But what I have always done is to put my head down and I work harder than everyone around me. #Uzalo’. Despite the denials, the DA has asked the Public Protector to investigate, according to a News24 report. ‘...Specifically, whether Jacob Zuma was at all involved in pushing through this deal, and made any contact with Mr Motsoeneng to ensure its success,’ party spokesperson Phumzile Van Damme said.

Full TimesLIVE report

Full News24 report