DA drags SABC to court over Motsoeneng
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will take legal action on the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as chief operating officer (COO) of the SABC.
The political party said it has begun the process of serving papers on Communications Minister, Faith Muthambi, and the SABC Board.
Its High Court application seeks to have the appointment of Motsoeneng reviewed and set aside as being irrational.
A report by the Public Protector, published in February, found that Motsoeneng lied about his qualifications, among other irregularities during his time as acting COO.
The report found Motsoeneng’s salary increased from R1.5 million to R2.4 million in one year, that he had purged senior staff, and misrepresented his qualifications — that he passed matric — to the SABC.
“There is a strong legal case that Motsoeneng’s appointment was irrational given the Public Protector’s findings,” the political party said.
“Appointing someone who was known to be dishonest and willing to abuse his power could never be rational,” it said, dding that no other candidates were considered for the post.
“The Board and the minister do not appear to have considered the findings of the Public Protector. Appointing someone who was known to be dishonest and willing to abuse his power could never be rational. This is especially true in this case,” said DA leader, Helen Zille.
“The Broadcasting Act requires the COO to be committed to openness and accountability, and to the principles of the SABC Charter, including good governance.”
When appointing a person to such a post, it would be necessary to consider a variety of possible candidates in order to find the person best suited. It appears that the Board did not perform that exercise. That renders the appointment irrational,” Zille said.
Motsoeneng was cleared of all wrongdoing by a legal firm before being permanently appointed, communications minister, Faith Muthambi said last week.
“I believe the board has exercised due diligence, therefore I’m saying my decision was rational,” Muthambi said.
The DA argued that it is not possible for a law firm’s report to trump the report of a Chapter Nine Institution, much less clear a person of wrongdoing.
“Only a court can do that. Incidentally, it appears from articles in the media yesterday that the law firm in question has denied that its report cleared Mr Motsoeneng,” Zille said.
“Minister Muthambi also has much to answer for. At the DA’s request, the minister is due to appear before the Communications Portfolio Committee to account for the decision to appoint Mr Moetsoneg to this position,” the DA lead said.
More on the SABC
Fresh qualification scandal at the SABC
Communications minister lied to SABC board: report
Loading ...