Portfolio Committee Chair Khusela Diko Reveals She Owes Over R10k In SABC TV Licence Fees

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies chairperson Khusela Diko has confirmed that she owes substantial SABC TV licence fees.

The revelation came after Diko responded to a post by the SABC following the cancellation of Face the Nation, a programme hosted by veteran broadcaster Clement Manyathela. The show’s axing has sparked criticism from opposition parties and civil society, who claim the decision was politically motivated. The Presidency has denied any interference.

Unpaid Fees Highlight Ongoing SABC Struggles

In a comment reposted on X (formerly Twitter), Diko wrote on Tuesday:

“No up-to-date licence, no comment. Hence, I reserve my comment. I am still trying to catch up on the amounts I owe.”

According to MyBroadband, non-payment of TV licences has been a longstanding issue for the SABC. Defaulting rates rose from 69% in 2019 to 86% in 2024, slightly improving to 85% in 2025. These unpaid fees have cost the public broadcaster nearly R4.2 billion in lost revenue.

The annual TV licence fee is R265, while Diko earns over R1.7 million per year in her role as portfolio committee chairperson.

Let’s pay TV licences guys. Jonga ngoku poster child and big advocate of the SABC being called out. I said this yesterday🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️ I, like many South Africans, owe the SABC and we need to do right by them. I’ve been in constant communication with the SABC to resolve this matter. I…

— Khusela Diko🇿🇦 (@KhuselaS) March 25, 2026

Diko Urges South Africans to Pay Up

Since admitting her arrears, Diko has taken to X again to encourage fellow South Africans to pay their TV licences.

“I am told I have a debt of over R10k, which just does not make sense to me since the licence is R265 per annum. I’ve paid R3k of it to date and am still hoping for a resolution,” she wrote.

She added that she has been in constant communication with the SABC to resolve the matter and urged citizens to “do right by them” by paying their licence fees. “Pay Your TV Licence it’s the right thing to do,” Diko said.