SABC to be investigated by the Public Protector
The office of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has confirmed that it has entered into a preliminary investigation of the latest developments at the SABC.
This follows a week of protest at the public broadcaster after senior journalists were suspended for not following a controversial censorship policy introduced by COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
According to reports, Madonsela has sent a letter to communications minister Faith Muthambi to find out about the governance and alleged failures at the broadcaster.
It is uncertain whether or not the office of the Public Protector holds any sway over the SABC, as the group has repeatedly failed to abide by orders from Madonsela – as well as South African courts – to get rid of Motsoeneng.
In February 2015, Madonsela delivered a report on the SABC, in which she found that Motsoeneng had been mismanaging the company, giving himself salary increases, hiring and firing without consultation, and that he had fraudulently misrepresented his qualifications.
The Democratic Alliance took the matter to court and it was ruled that Motsoeneng’s placement was “irrational”, and that he should be removed.
The court denied leave to appeal the ruling – yet Motsoeneng and Faith Muthambi have taken the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal, to be heard in September.
The ANC has summoned Muthambi to answer to claims that Motsoeneng is abusing his power at the SABC, and have called on her to investigate. Muthambi will attend a meeting with ANC officials at Luthuli House on Monday.
She is largely perceived to be Motsoeneng’s last line of defence.
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