SABC needs a proper COO: DA
The DA has welcomed progress made by Minister of Communications, Yunus Carrim, in dealing with the years-long issues surrounding acting SABC COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
On Monday (25 November), Carrim announced that the chief operating officer position at the SABC may be advertised soon, saying that the position “stalemate” was likely to end, should negotiations be successful with a candidate who believed he should have been appointed.
Carrim also acknowledged that he had seen the public protector’s provisional report into alleged maladministration at the SABC, though reserved comment until the full report was published.
The City Press reported on Sunday (24 November) that it had seen the provisional report from public protector Thuli Madonsela, which highlighted abuse of power and maladministration by senior executives and former SABC board members.
According to the newspaper, the report made recommendations in terms of the conduct of Motsoeneng, group chief executive officer Lulama Mokhobo, former board chair Ben Ngubane, and former communications minister Dina Pule.
Carrim said that should there be allegations against officials in his department in the final report, he would consult with his legal team for direction.
“Once this is resolved the Minister must ensure that only appropriately qualified and experienced candidates are shortlisted for the position,” said DA shadow minister of communications, Marian Shinn.
“The job of managing the SABC, a multi-billion rand corporation, requires exceptional managerial qualifications, skills and experience, something which has been sorely lacking from the current acting COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng,” Shinn said.
DA Shadow Minister of Communications – Marian Shinn
Shinn highlighted issues raised in the provisional report – such as Motsoeneng’s lack of qualifications and allegations that he used his political connections to abuse his position and drove the collapse of the previous SABC board.
In a statement on Monday, Carrim said it was absolutely clear that his department needed to have more strategic oversight of the SABC in the future.
Shinn stressed that it was up to Carrim to make sure the post of SABC COO must be filled by a candidate with appropriate qualifications as well as a verifiable track record of good corporate governance.
“Having the best-qualified and experienced person for the job is critical if the SABC is to be pulled from the mire into which it has plunged, particularly during the past year, when it received one of its worst-ever Auditor General reports,” Shinn said.
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