South African government denies it is trying to control public broadcaster SABC.

(From BBC Monitoring International Reports)

General Bantubonke Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), yesterday blasted the African National Congress-led government, saying that his former party's quest to control the public broadcaster, the SABC, would pave the way for President Thabo Mbeki to seek a third term in office.

In a stinging attack against Mbeki and his government, Holomisa said South Africa was moving towards a "controlled democracy". The proposed Broadcasting Amendment Bill, due out this week, would create a situation which would confirm the SABC as a mouthpiece of the ANC-led government.

"It is a worrying …