The DA’s application to have the appointment of SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng set aside is expected to continue in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the SABC board argued that the decision to appoint Motsoeneng on a permanent basis was rational.<\/p>\n
SABC board lawyer Ngwako Maenetje argued that the board had considered Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s findings on Motsoeneng and found no basis so far to discipline him.<\/p>\n
“We don’t regret it [the appointment]. In our society, with all the criticisms, he is some kind of example for where he comes from,” Maenetje said.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Alliance wanted an urgent interim interdict suspending Motsoeneng pending a review of the decision to appoint him.<\/p>\n
It argued on Tuesday that Motsoeneng should be suspended as soon as possible because he is a “toxic influence” who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.<\/p>\n
“We have seen what the eighth respondent [Motsoeneng] does when he is in the position of acting COO,” Anton Katz, for the DA, said.<\/p>\n
“He must be removed today if possible. He is a toxic element running through that organisation. It is urgent in that sense.”<\/p>\n
In February, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela released a report on Motsoeneng, while he was acting COO.<\/p>\n
She found his salary increased from R1.5 million to R2.4m in one year, that he had purged senior staff, and misrepresented his matric qualifications to the SABC. Madonsela recommended that a new COO be appointed at the SABC within 90 days.<\/p>\n
In July, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi announced Motsoeneng’s permanent appointment. She said he was cleared of all wrongdoing by a legal firm before the decision was made.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Alliance then launched a high court bid to have his appointment set aside.<\/p>\n
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