The Democratic Alliance has revealed that SABC chief operations officer (COO), Hlaudi Motsoeneng, was paid R2.8 million in 2013 – more than President Jacob Zuma.<\/p>\n
The information came following a reply to a DA parliamentary question.<\/p>\n
President Zuma currently earns a salary of R2,622,561 per annum.<\/p>\n
Motsoeneng is under a cloud after he\u00a0misrepresented his matric qualifications to the SABC, while Public Protector Thuli Madonsela also found that Motsoeneng was not fit for the job as COO.<\/p>\n
DA Shadow Minister of Communications, Gavin Davis, noted that in 2010, Motsoeneng\u2019s take-home pay was R334 167. 72.<\/p>\n
“This means that Mr Motsoeneng is being paid nearly R2.5 million more per annum than he was in 2010 \u2013 an eight-fold increase in four years.”<\/p>\n
Davis called Motsoeneng\u2019s rise at the SABC\u00a0 ‘remarkable’, particularly given the Public Protector\u2019s findings in February that he:<\/p>\n
“The inescapable conclusion is that he has been protected, promoted and rewarded for his political loyalties to President Zuma,” Davis said.<\/p>\n
The parliamentary reply also revealed that SABC staff members were paid more than R65 million in bonuses this year despite numerous issues plaguing the public broadcaster.<\/p>\n
The DA said it supports a system of bonuses and salary increases based on individual performance.<\/p>\n
“Indeed, there are many dedicated SABC journalists and operational staff who do excellent work under very difficult circumstances. They should be commended and rewarded,” Davis said.<\/p>\n
The DA said that while the SABC\u2019s claims that it is performing well, the following evidence suggested otherwise:<\/p>\n
The DA said it will call on SABC chairperson, Ellen Tshabalala, to appear before the Communications Portfolio Committee to explain the millions of rands paid out in bonuses and salaries.<\/p>\n
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