ANC orders SABC to ‘rescind’ Motsoeneng appointment
ANC chief whip in Parliament, Jackson Mthembu, says that the SABC must ‘rescind’ its decision to appoint Hlaudi Motsoeneng as group executive of corporate affairs of the state broadcaster.
Mthembu said that the SABC board’s re-appointment of Motsoeneng is unlawful and should immediately be rescinded – he was quoted as saying on the ANC parliament Twitter account.
The Supreme Court of Appeal last week dismissed Motsoeneng’s application for leave to appeal a High Court in Cape Town ruling, which set aside his permanent appointment as COO.
Mthembu said that Motsoeneng’s appointment to another senior post ‘is the last straw that broke the camel’s back’.
On Tuesday, SABC board chairperson Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe said that Motsoeneng will remain an employee at the public broadcaster.
“Mr Motsoeneng is still an employee. He would be going back to the position he held which is GE corporate affairs, and that is his previous position.”
Motsoeneng went even further at press briefing by saying he would reapply to be COO of the public broadcaster when the opportunity arises – and in the meantime he will serve in his previous role as group executive of corporate affairs. “It is a given that I will apply. And I am qualified,” he said.
Maguvhe said there was a perception in the media and among politicians that the SABC did not respect the courts and the Public Protector’s office.
“Today is the day I want to put the record straight: That record is that there is a perception being created by opposition parties and media that SABC doesn’t respect our legal institutions. We respect our legal institutions. Among them the PP’s [Public Protector’s] office and the courts.”
Mthembu said that the ‘shenanigans’ unfolding at SABC distracts the broadcaster on discharging its core mandate as a public broadcaster.
“We have been observing with dismay certain decisions taken by the board, some of which have been declared unlawful by our courts. The happenings at the public institution, which are taking place under the watch of the board, continue to be the cause of serious embarrassment – not only for the SABC, but for the country as a whole,” Jacaranda News reported Mthembu as saying.
“The deafening silence of the board and its apparent inability or unwillingness to swiftly intervene in the ongoing situation leaves much to be desired. It is clear that this board is failing spectacularly.”
The chief whip said that the ANC will recommend to Parliament to have an inquiry on the fitness of the current SABC board.
More on SABC
Hlaudi Motsoeneng not going anywhere: SABC chair
I will reapply to be COO of the SABC – I am qualified: Motsoeneng
The way is open to fire Motsoeneng from the SABC: DA
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