The Western Cape High Court ruled on Thursday that SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng be suspended for 60 days pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.<\/p>\n
Judge Ashton Schippers granted Motsoeneng leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, but his interim suspension must take place with immediate effective, the court heard.<\/p>\n
“The judgment goes to the heart of the Public Protector’s remedial actions in affairs of the State,” the Democratic Alliance’s James Selfe said outside court.<\/p>\n
“If the disciplinary proceedings find him innocent, he can presumably go back to work after 60 days.”<\/p>\n
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago could not be reached for comment by News24 immediately after the ruling.<\/p>\n
The DA had brought an application for an interim order to have Motsoeneng suspended pending a disciplinary hearing, as ordered by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.<\/p>\n
Despite Madonsela’s finding, Motsoeneng had remained in his job at the public broadcaster.<\/p>\n
The DA has said this judgment was an important test for the powers of the Public Protector.<\/p>\n
“The implication of this judgment is that organs of state must implement the findings and remedial actions of the Public Protector unless rational grounds, that would stand up in a court, are presented for not doing so,” the opposition party said ahead of the ruling.<\/p>\n
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