SA broadcaster suspends its head

The SABC says Mr Mpofu is accused of serious misconduct

South Africa's public broadcaster, the SABC, has suspended its chief executive for alleged misconduct, a day after he had suspended the head of news.

Dali Mpofu was being investigated for refusing to implement decisions taken by the board of governors, it said.

Correspondents say the turmoil at the public broadcaster is linked to a power struggle between President Thabo Mbeki and ruling party leader Jacob Zuma.

Mr Zuma's supporters say it favoured Mr Mbeki in a recent leadership contest.

The SABC has also been accused of routinely banning pro-Zuma commentators from its broadcasts.

Mr Zuma overwhelmingly won the leadership of the African National Congress in December.

Under South Africa's landmark constitution, established after the end of white minority rule in 1994, the SABC is supposed to be free from political harassment.

Blacklist

The move comes a day after Mr Mpofu suspended the head of news, Snuki Zikalala, also on misconduct charges.

Correspondents say the broadcaster has come in for criticism in the past for its political coverage.

It was fiercely criticised in 2006 for cancelling a controversial documentary about Mr Mbeki that it said was unbalanced and potentially defamatory.

The SABC said the film did not meet editorial standards, while independent commentators said it was taken off air because it was too critical of the president.

The broadcaster has denied it has a blacklist of political commentators who may not speak on air.

In 2006 a political analyst Aubrey Matshiqi said that he had been informed he would no longer be interviewed on the corporation's news programmes.

Mr Matshiqi, who had been a regular guest on the SABC, said he had on occasion criticised the government.

South Africa's Freedom of Expression Institute warned of a "growing trend of self-censorship" by the SABC.

President Mbeki steps down as president in 2009, with Mr Zuma favourite to succeed him.