Multichoice to reveal the outcome of investigation

Multichoice will hold a media briefing on Wednesday to reveal the outcome of their internal investigation into several payments made to the SABC and ANN7.   The payments were allegedly made to influence government policy on digital migration in favour of Multichoice.  

It emerged through the Gupta Leaks last year that the video entertainment and internet company paid ANN7 millions to allegedly influence South Africa’s long-stalled digital migration switch from analogue to digital TV.

MultiChoice then launched an internal probe into the matter, led by its audit and risk committees. The findings are to be made to the board, which will then take necessary action, the company said in a statement in early November. The DA had lodged a complaint with Icasa on November 27, 2017.

The DA also requested MultiChoice make publicly available the contracts with ANN7 and the SABC, according to the letter sent to Icasa. Icasa chair Rubben Mohlaloga responded to the DA’s request on January 26, 2018 in a letter. Mohlaloga said in the letter that the complaint was referred to its Compliance and Consumer Affairs division “to investigate and communicate with the DA directly.”

Mohlaloga also said that the parties concerned will have to be provided with the complaint as well as other relevant attachments, and be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations within a specified period.