SABC board members were to meet urgently on Saturday after being blindsided by the surprise naming of Phil Molefe as head of news - an appointment they believe is null and void.
A fresh standoff between the board and SABC executives could see a replay of the bloody battles that brought the corporation to its knees.
Outrage mounted on Friday, with Cosatu and the Save Our SABC Coalition demanding an investigation into how Molefe could have been appointed without the board's approval.
The Saturday Star understands that SABC group CEO Solly Mokoetle and board chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane had been asked to attend the meeting at the SABC's Auckland Park, Joburg, headquarters to explain this apparent breach of the public broadcaster's governance charter.
Felleng Sekha, who heads the board's news subcommittee, had distanced herself from the decision.
Molefe has been acting head of news since Snuki Zikalala departed after his contract was not renewed.
Board members were due on Saturday to argue that his appointment has no legal standing.
Media Monitoring Africa's William Bird said that if it emerged that the decision to appoint Molefe was irregular, the best option to restore the trust and credibility of the new board would be for Ngubane and Mokoetle to resign.