Hlaudi Motsoeneng stays at SABC, can apply for his old position
Hlaudi Motsoeneng stays at SABC, can apply for his old position
TMG Digital, TimesLIVE | 2016-09-27 15:05:06.0
Hlaudi Motsoeneng
Image by: Daily Sun / Lucky Morajane / Gallo Images
Hlaudi Motsoeneng remains an employee of the South African Broadcasting Corporation and will be going back to position of group executive of corporate affairs, SABC CEO James Aguma said on Tuesday.
Motsoeneng will be leading efforts to increase revenue for the broadcaster, dealing with stakeholders as well as overlooking operations in provinces.
SABC chair Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe earlier added that when the job of chief operating officer is advertised‚ he can apply. He told a press conference that Motsoeneng can hold any position at the SABC if requirements are met and due process followed.
Motsoeneng confirmed he would be applying for the job.
Motsoeneng's position as COO was found to be invalid after the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed his application for leave to appeal a High Court in Cape Town ruling‚ which set aside his permanent appointment.
Motsoeneng began acting as COO in 2011 and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi confirmed his permanent appointment in 2014‚ despite adverse findings by the Public Protector‚ including that he misrepresented his qualifications and awarded staff and himself irregular salary increases.
In her report‚ titled “When Governance and Ethics Fail”‚ Madonsela found that Motsoeneng had lied about his matric qualifications and irregularly increased his salary. She recommended that legal action be taken against Motsoeneng as his appointment was unlawful.
BONUS CONTROVERSY
The Sunday Times reported that the SABC paid a secret R10-million bonus into Motsoeneng's bank account for negotiating a contract with MultiChoice to create SABC channels on DStv dating back to 2013.
The SABC has denied this.
This week‚ President Jacob Zuma‚ the ANC and Parliament distanced themselves from the leadership crisis at the broadcaster.
The ANC’s spokesperson Zizi Kodwa’s on Monday called for “Parliament to summon the SABC to comprehensively account on the state of the corporation and its reported challenges”.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications issued a statement that it would‚ in the next fortnight‚ meet with the board of the SABC over the SCA judgment on the invalid appointment of Motsoeneng.
And the Presidency on Friday commented that it “noted and respects the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA)” The Presidency’s statement noted that at a meeting “between government and the judiciary last year‚ it was reaffirmed that government would respect court rulings”. “Government fully abides by that undertaking‚” the statement added.
The latest controversy comes ahead of the release of the SABC's financial results on Thursday, which is expected to show the broadcaster posted a R377.7-million loss for the 2015-2016 financial year to the end of March.
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