SABC chairwoman Ellen Tshabalala has approached the Western Cape High Court to stop a parliamentary process intent on suspending her, the Mail & Guardian reported on its website on Wednesday.

Tshabalala’s lawyers lodged an interdict to stop a parliamentary inquiry that resolved to recommend her suspension for lying about her qualifications.

According to the report, the interdict was lodged on Tuesday night and early on Wednesday.

The court is yet to make a decision on whether to grant the interdict by Thursday.

An inquiry into allegations that Tshabalala misrepresented her academic qualifications will start on Thursday at 2pm, according to the report.

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

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

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

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

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

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