South African ministry agrees to pay state broadcaster $12 200 for interview stirs outcry
Dlamini
The SABC aired the interview with  Bathabile Dlamini   an ally of President Jacob Zuma and senior figure in the ruling African National Congress (ANC)  on a popular talk show just a week before the ANC elected its new leadership.
 Dlamini  was sharply criticized by South Africaâs top court last year for  her  role in a fiasco which threatened the payment of welfare benefits to 17 million people.  She  was re-elected to the ANCâs national executive in December.
 Dlaminiâs  spokeswoman said it was normal practice for the social development ministry to pay to get its message across and that the interview was not been timed to coincide with the ANC leadership conference.
As president  Zuma appoints the board of the SABC. His presidency has been tarnished by a series of corruption scandals  including allegations that  Zumaâs  friends have influenced government appointments. Zuma denies any wrongdoing.
Anton Harber  a professor of journalism at Wits University in Johannesburg  said the Dlamini interview had harmed the  SABCâs  journalistic credibility because the broadcaster had not disclosed that it was paid for.
The SABC aired the interview with   [TGT]  just a week before the ANC elected its new leadership.
  [TGT] was sharply criticized by South Africaâs top court last year for   [TGT]   role in a fiasco which threatened the payment of welfare benefits to 17 million people.   [TGT]   was re-elected to the ANCâs national executive in December.
 Dlaminiâs  spokeswoman said it was normal practice for the social development ministry to pay to get its message across and that the interview was not been timed to coincide with the ANC leadership conference.
As president  Zuma appoints the board of the SABC. His presidency has been tarnished by a series of corruption scandals  including allegations that  Zumaâs  friends have influenced government appointments. Zuma denies any wrongdoing.
Anton Harber  a professor of journalism at Wits University in Johannesburg  said the Dlamini interview had harmed the  SABCâs  journalistic credibility because the broadcaster had not disclosed that it was paid for.