President Jacob Zuma has not received a letter from the National Assembly requesting him to suspend SABC chairwoman Ellen Tshabalala, the Presidency said on Monday.

“According to media reports the Portfolio Committee on Communications in the National Assembly has recommended that the Chairperson be suspended,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

“The Presidency can only process requests when formal communication is received from the National Assembly.”

Maharaj said the Presidency had received media enquiries in relation to Tshabalala, but he had not received a letter from the National Assembly.

On September 16, the portfolio committee on communications recommended she be suspended pending the outcome of the hearing.

Parliament’s communications portfolio committee said it had unanimously resolved to recommend the suspension of Tshabalala, pending the outcome of a probe into her qualifications.

An inquiry would start on October 14.

She stated on her CV that she had a BCom degree from the University of South Africa (Unisa).

Tshabalala also claimed she held a post graduate degree in labour relations.

Unisa has since stated their records reflect she has neither of the qualifications.

Only Zuma, who is the appointing authority, can suspend her from her duties. SAPA