Bay TV goes fuzzy

REPORTS of missing millions, board interference, inflated viewer numbers, legal action and poor quality continue to plague Nelson Mandela Bay's community television station Bay TV.

This, as key role-players point fingers at each other over who is to blame for the station's downward spiral.

Since the station's launch amid much fanfare in October 2011, questions have been asked about what happened to R4-million pumped into the station by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and, recently, hundreds of thousands granted to the station for training.

"The question is where has all that money gone?" a former Bay TV board member, who did not want to be named, said.

"The R4-million came from the municipality over a two-year period and not long after the station opened, grants meant for staff training were redirected to pay salaries.

"Many fingers point at the board members for mismanaging the funds and the board is reluctant to share any information."

Board chairman and prominent businessman Motse Mfuleni, who refused to supply The Herald with audited financial statements without the full approval of the entire board and television production company Urban Brew, denies any wrongdoing by the board and blames the management.

Bay TV station manager Lungile Ndevu admitted there had been "teething problems" since Urban Brew withdrew some of its operational support. - Riaan Marais